<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=1tAnA3_0vkwESD000" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=1tAnA3_0vkwESD000" width="1318" height="659" ><figcaption>Four members of Scout Troop 103 have attained Eagle Scout status, thanks to the successful board of review and the completion of their Eagle Scout projects. They are (from left) Isaac Farley, Elijah Moore, Matthew Mullins and Aiden Ward. MIRROR PHOTO BY KRISTI FISH</figcaption></figure>BY KRISTI FISH | MIRROR REPORTER — The path to becoming an Eagle Scout is arduous, but it’s one that four members of Maumee Scout Troop 103 have walked in the past few months.Aiden Ward, Elijah Moore, Isaac Farley and Matthew Mullins have all recently achieved Eagle status, having completed their projects and a board of review.Thanks to the help of their Scoutmaster Jeff Ward and Assistant Scoutmaster Kylie Moore, their families, and others, the four new Eagle Scouts said they’re excited for this new phase.“It’s a huge honor to be an Eagle Scout,” Elijah said. “Boy Scouts can turn you into a good role model and really help you become a better person.”That’s what the whole process has been about, they noted.As Scouts, and eventually Eagle Scouts, the young members of the community have been learning how to follow the Scout Oath and Scout Law, which requires they do their best to follow the duty to God and country, help others and be the best version of themselves.In order to become an Eagle Scout, the organization has a set of requirements they must meet.The Scouts must be active Life Scouts for at least six months, follow the oath and law, earn 21 merit badges in various categories, hold some leadership position, complete a service project and more, before preparing for the board of review.The completion of a project, which must benefit an organization other than the Scouts, is a large undertaking itself, the boys said.For Elijah’s project, he chose to refurbish the prayer walk located at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Maumee.“It was originally made of grass and it was very invisible,” Elijah said. “When people drove by, all they could see was a bench.”Using products from American Rent-All, Elijah, along with some enlisted help, proceeded to remove all of the sod and then clean up the space before placing 10 tons of gravel. It was then compacted and sprayed down to prevent the gravel from moving around too much when walked upon.“I chose this project because I’m very faith-based and I wanted people to be able to actually see the prayer walk,” Elijah said.When Isaac selected his project, he chose to work with Sunshine Communities, creating a compost bin on the property, as it involved work with an organization he appreciates and nature, which he said he is passionate about.The compost bin, he explained, is a way to give back to nature.“Composting is a good way to keep helping nature,” Isaac said, noting the compost bin can continue to help Sunshine not just now, but also many years down the road.Using supplies donated from 84 Lumber, the project was completed quickly and will hopefully withstand many years of use, Isaac said.When deciding his project, Matthew chose to contact Metroparks Toledo management personnel for ideas on how he could help the park district.They told him a portable bathroom at Side Cut Metropark, by Siegert Lake, was in need of a new cover, so Matthew quickly got to work.“I want to shout out a lot of people who helped me, from 84 Lumbar to Chris Jones, Mason Jones, Keith Williams and especially the Metro-parks,” Matthew said, adding that assistance from Henry and Michael Dunstan and Markus Lepard was also helpful.Completing projects requires the help of the troop in many cases, along with other members of the community.A full day of work had Matthew and his helpers disassemble the old cover before putting the new one in place and painting it.As for Aiden’s project, he wanted to give back to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church.“They let us use the church pretty much whenever we want, and I wanted to do something for them,” Aiden said.In the side yard of the church, St Paul’s had a small fire pit for congregants to enjoy during movie nights, so Aiden’s project cleared out the area and improved the fire pit.Three swings were added around the enlarged circle, making it a more enjoyable experience for all.“American Rent-All let us use an auger for free,” Aiden said about the help he received on his project. “My grandpa, Scoutmaster Jeff Ward, was a big help. Also, my troop and some of my family members even showed up.”The support of fellow troop members and family is also helpful outside of Eagle Scout projects, the boys noted. As Scouting can take up a significant chunk of their time, it’s important to have assistance wherever possible.“My dad has been great for all of this,” Isaac said. “He’s very helpful.”Previous Scoutmasters and assistants helped lay the foundation for the boys’ success, Elijah added.“There’s just so many people we could thank,” he said.Teachers, friends, neighbors and more have helped inspire and push the young philanthropists on their journeys. Without the extra push from others, it would have been harder to stay committed, Aiden said, but it’s all worth it in the end.“I think, if you want to join Scouts you should, because it can really set you up with basic life skills,” he said. “And if you’re thinking about quitting, you should stick around until you at least experience a summer camp or High Adventure camp, because it gives you more experience.”Those experiences can help the troop bond and also showcase the fun moments the Eagle Scouts will remember long past their time in the organization.“My favorite part is summer camp because it’s so much fun,” Isaac added.It doesn’t hurt that the fun moments can teach the Scouts just as much as the educational parts.“You really will learn a lot in Scouts,” Elijah said.Other members of Troop 103 are currently learning those same lessons and following in the footsteps of the four new Eagle Scouts, Assistant Scoutmaster Kylie Moore said.“We are extremely proud of these young men, and it’s been an honor to lead them,” she said. “We have several more Life Scouts on this same journey and that’s just amazing. All of these young men have worked so hard to be where they’re at and so much of it is because of people like Jeff Ward and his leadership.”</div></body>

Mountain View, CA

NewsBreak

Maumee Scout Troop 103 Gains Four New Eagle Scouts

BY KRISTI FISH | MIRROR REPORTER — The path to becoming an Eagle Scout is arduous, but it’s one that four members of Maumee Scout Troop 103 have walked in the past few months. Aiden Ward, Elijah Moore, Isaac Farley and Matthew Mullins have all recently achieved Eagle...