Aidan Long, Canaan Toothman and Kevin Bolt were recognized as Eagle Scouts during a Court of Honor ceremony held on Feb. 21 at Conestoga Mennonite Church in Morgantown. The Scouts are members of Troop 543 Plowville, which meets at Robeson Lutheran Church.

According to http://www.scouting.org, Eagle Scout is the highest honor in the Scouts BSA program of Scouting America. Only 4% to 6% of youths involved in Scouting earn the honor, which requires earning more than 21 merit badges, holding leadership positions within the troop and completing a major community service project.

Aidan's project was creating and installing easy-to-read handcrafted signs to help people navigate within the Birdsboro Preserve trail network, including the Twin Valley Mountain Biking (TVMTB) team, of which he is a member, as well as hikers, bikers and others who use the preserve's trail.

Canaan, who is also a TVMTB member, completed a trail improvement project at the same preserve. He, along with volunteers, cleared overgrown, stabilized sections of the trail and improved drainage.

Kevin's project was a cleanup and improvement at the courtyard at Robeson Lutheran Church, allowing the church's preschool students to use the courtyard for outdoor activities and snack time. He organized and led volunteers in pressure washing the patio, walkways and surrounding areas; cleaning out the planter boxes; and planting butterfly bushes and flowers. He also added two child-size picnic tables.

Stephan Kincaid from Berks Trail Works was on hand at the ceremony to thank the Scouts for the trail improvements. He emphasized the connection between community and local trail stewardship, noting that all three Eagle Scouts are members of the TVMTB.

State Rep. Mark Gillen presented each Eagle Scout with a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, which read, "Whereas the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania takes great pride in recognizing Canaan, Aidan and Kevin who have displayed steadfast commitment to the ideals and time-honored traditions of Scouting America by attaining the rank of Eagle Scout - an accomplishment of the highest magnitude."

Other participants included Brian Thorpe, Scoutmaster, who discussed the importance of Scouting; Scot McCaffrey, assistant Scoutmaster, who recited the Eagle obligations; John Wilson, assistant Scoutmaster, who presented Voice of the Eagle; Drew Toothman, who recited the invocation; Shannon Long, committee chair, who provided the welcome; and Chas Andrews, Frontier District Executive for Scouting at Hawk Mountain Council, who encouraged the Scouts to stay connected as they move into their next phase of life. Troop members presented the Colors and the Call to Order and recited the Scout Law and The Scout Oath.

During the Court of Honor ceremony, the mother of each Eagle Scout pinned the Eagle lapel pin on her son. In return, the Eagle Scouts each presented a pin to their parents.

Each Scout also selected mentors to recognize, presenting them with a pin. The mentors are individuals who played a meaningful role in their journey to attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

Aidan recognized his mountain biking coach, Mike Cihlar, and former Scoutmaster Scot McCaffrey. Kevin recognized Scot McCaffrey and current Scoutmaster Brian Thorpe.

Canaan recognized his sister, Karis, who earned her Eagle Scout rank in 2024. Karis is a senior at Liberty University in Virginia, studying criminal justice. She came home for the weekend to attend the Court of Honor.

As an Eagle Scout, Karis was chosen to lead the Eagle Charge. The closing words read, in part, "On behalf of the Court of Honor of the Hawk Mountain Council, Scouting America, with the high hope that you will always represent the finest of character and citizenship, we welcome you into the brotherhood of Eagle Scouts and congratulate you, your parents and your Scout leaders."