4 new Eagle Scouts honored from Bethel Park’s Troop 4

Justin Patrick Mattes, Hendrix Cole Odham, John Atticus Zukowski and Gabriel Joseph Zych of Scout Troop 4, from Bethel Park/Upper St. Clair, were recognized for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in a Court of Honor ceremony held on March 14 at St. Louise Church.

The four Eagle Scouts far exceeded that number of merit badges and community service hours required to become an Eagle Scout.

The final hurdle in the quest for this highest rank for Boy Scouting is a community service challenge, called the “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.

Mattes’ project consisted of restoring the outdoor Stations of the Cross at Seton LaSalle High School. He funded his project through a Sarris Candies sale and donations, which raised $547 in excess of his expenses and donated to Seton LaSalle. He organized five workdays during which 20 Troop 4 scouts volunteered 61 hours and 12 Troop 4 adults contributed 69 hours, totaling 150 hours.

Odham’s project consisted building a bocce ball court at the BP Lions Club Park. He raised $3,223 through a spaghetti dinner and donations. Since his income exceeded his expenses, Hendrix was able to donate $1,509 to the Lions Club. Hendrix organized four workdays during which 22 Troop 4 Scouts volunteered 158 hours, 12 Troop 4 adults contributed 105 hours and 9 others pitched in 31 hours, totaling 294 hours.

Zukowski’s project consisted of remodeling the church kitchen into a laundry room. Zukowski funded his project with a spaghetti dinner and donations, which raised $ 2,562. Since this exceeded his expenses, he was able to donate $1,891 to St. Catherine Laboure. Jack organized seven workdays during which 17 Troop 4 scouts volunteered 142 hours, 17 Troop 4 adults contributed 111 and 3 others added 12 hours, totaling 265 hours.

Zych constructed a storage shed for the STL soccer organization. He funded his project with a pancake breakfast and donations that raised $4,188. Since his income exceeded his expenses, he was able to donate $670 to STL Soccer. Zych organized seven workdays, during which 26 Troop 4 Scouts volunteered 260, 19 Troop 4 adults contributed 117 and 10 others added 57 hours, totaling 434.

There were many letters of recognition from national, state and local dignitaries. The Scoutmaster talked about the process and responsibilities of an Eagle Scout as well as detailing the road taken to achieve the rank. Numerous Eagle Scouts were on hand. 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 read the personal letter from the Grand Exalted Ruler, congratulating the Scouts on their accomplishments. He 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.

Spicuzza also represented the USC-BP Breakfast Rotary and provide certificates recognizing the achievement of the and exemplifying the Rotary Moto of Service Above Self.