Bethel Park Scout 215 has five more Eagle Scouts to add to its ranks.
Boyd P. Alspach, Zachary Bateman, Connor P. Behr, Connor Owen Blocklin and Nathan Ambrose Disori were recognized for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in a Court of Honor ceremony held on May 17 at Hamilton Presbyterian Church.
The final hurdle in the quest for the highest rank for Boy Scouting is a community service challenge, otherwise known as an “Eagle project.”
The candidates for Eagle must be in charge of all aspects of the project. The tasks include, but are not limited to, planning, financing, implementation, completion and final presentation of the completed project to a committee of Boy Scout leaders.
The synopsis of the projects certainly only scratches the surface of the hard work and dedication the Eagle Scouts put into their projects.
Dennis Donihi, committee chair, talked about the process and responsibilities of an Eagle Scout, as well as detailed the road taken to achieve the rank. Numerous Eagle Scouts were in attendance. The Eagle Scouts handed out flowers and mentor pins to various individuals who provided assistance in their journey to becoming an Eagle Scout.
There were many letters of recognition from national, state and local dignitaries. The most unique item presented to the Eagle Scouts was an autographed football from the Green Bay Packers with a letter of recognition. Russ Spicuzza, Elk Scouting representative of South Hills B.P.O.E. Lodge 2213 in Bethel Park, gave a short congratulatory talk and presented the new Eagle Scouts with two framed certificates of merit, one each from the local and national Elks Lodge (Chicago). Spicuzza also presented them with a personal-sized American flag and a small gold lapel pin, which represents more than 80 years of the relationship between the Elks and Scouting.
Boyd P. Alspach
Alspach’s project benefited the Caring Closet at Bethel Park High School. Boyd organized a GoFundMe, which raised more than $1,300. Along with more than 15 volunteers and a total of 150 hours of work across multiple days, he constructed two storage closets, which provide essential items such as food, clothing and hygiene products to students who are in need.
Zachary Bateman
Bateman’s project benefited Casey’s Clubhouse (formerly the Miracle League of the South Hills). He coordinated a back-to-school drive and organized the collection and assembly of school supply kits for students at the elementary, middle and high school levels, including adaptive backpacks to support accessibility. Through community support and his careful planning, Bateman doubled his original goal for the drive. This project reflects his long-standing connection to the Miracle League community, where he has also participated as a player.
Connor Behr
Behr’s project replaced the original footbridge that was very narrow and dilapidated in South Park. It was originally used for cars in the 1930s and ’40s. The path had a low grade and was very wide, making it an excellent choice for the elderly, biking and horseback riding. The small and narrow bridge was a bottleneck on the trail. The project was made possible by the collective effort of 17 volunteers with a total of 150 hours of work. Half of the materials were donated by Chris Sicilia, manager at Home Depot, with the remaining cost covered by the Allegheny Parks Foundation Small Stewardship Program. More than $800 of excess funding was used to purchase prebuilt habitat boxes from the Allegheny Game Commission and were donated to the beneficiary.
Connor Blocklin
Blockin built an outdoor cooking area at Lions Park. Volunteers helped build the cooking area out of fire brick and assembled two side tables for the grilling area. In addition, volunteers helped clear out old railroad ties in an unused bocce court to be repurposed for the project. The project cost was roughly $1,800 and was funded thanks to the Bethel Park Community Foundation, a fundraiser night at the Trolley Stop Inn and generous donations by family and friends.
Nathan Ambrose Disori
Ambrose chose his parish, St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Castle Shannon, to be the beneficiary of his project. He and his team of volunteers leveled an incline, removed a bush, dug up and relocated a monument and built a retaining wall. He also created blueprints for a bench that was installed and sealed into the ground, as well as a railing that was installed along the edge of the retaining wall. The team took turns digging a four-foot hole through rock to place a 30-foot flagpole. They finished the project by laying sod, planting grass and raising the American flag.