On Sunday, November 17th there was a very special Eagle Scout Court of Honor held at Adam’s Hall in Auburn Township. Seven Kenston High School Boy Scouts from Auburn Troop 101 were given the distinct honor of becoming Eagle Scouts. The ceremony put together by the troop, and the boys’ parents, included over one hundred fellow scouts, family, friends and community members in attendance. Special presentations and certificates were given by Joe Wollet, Order of the Arrow Lodge Adviser from Erielhonan Lodge, Dr. Katie Poe, Beth Ward and Neysa Gaskins representing the Kenston Board of Education, PJ Cavanaugh of the Auburn Trustees, Fred May, Auburn Fiscal Officer, Tim Grendell of the Geauga Court of Common Pleas and Diane Grendell, Ohio House of Representatives. Their heartfelt words of praise and encouragement to these new Eagle Scouts resonated with everyone in attendance.
Five out of the seven boys completed their projects at Camp Ho Mita Koda, a camp for children with diabetes, which celebrated ninety years this past summer. Steve Gerbasi and Mark Harmody, representing the camp, came to the ceremony to honor and thank the boys for their service. John Ray McClure’s project, class of 2021, was the reclamation and construction of the camp’s lake and trail fire pits. Joseph Frank Martin, class of 2020, installed two basketball hoops and refurbished two benches at the camp. Spencer William Brown, class of 2020, completed campsite construction at the camp. Adam John Farrell and Robert Charles Sunderhaft, both members of the class of 2020, built separate wooden bridges to re-connect the McCullagh trail at the camp.
Tucker Stephen Eshelman, class of 2020, worked hard to construct a well loved and often used Bocce Court at the Auburn Community park. While James Hayden Bryan, class of 2021, constructed two high tables and sixteen stools to create a Lego construction space for Laura’s Home Youth Center, which is part of Cleveland The City Mission. Hayden also supplied a surplus of Legos to get the creative construction going.
Eagle Scouts value perseverance, discipline, motivation, leadership, accountability, and achievement. In 2014 only 6% of eligible Boy Scouts earned the honor of becoming Eagle Scouts. All of these young men have been active Boy Scouts in their troop for many years. They have all earned more than the required twenty-one merit badges, are all bright and talented students in the Kenston School District as well as active community volunteers. You may have seen some of them during the Auburn road clean up or Kenston High School fireworks clean up crew, working the Auburn Fire Department pancake breakfasts or clam bakes. The Auburn/Bainbridge community is fortunate to have such fine young men representing and contributing to our community. Congratulations to all!
Pictured In Cover Photo: Front Row – Left to Right: John McClure, Tucker Eshelman, Adam Farrell, Joe MartinBack Row – Left to Right: Hayden Bryan, Robert Sunderhaft, Spencer Brown
