Austin Strickler, a member of Troop 25 in East York, has earned the Eagle Scout Award, the highest advancement rank in Scouts BSA. He received his award from Troop 25 Scoutmaster Perry Bevivino during Troop 25's Court of Honor on Oct. 25 at Yorkshire United Methodist Church (UMC). Austin is the son of Jody and Tim Strickler.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Austin transformed an overgrown, unused courtyard at Yorkshire UMC, the troop's sponsoring organization, into a playground for the children of the Joyful Noise Preschool. The project required the removal of trees and shrubs, jackhammering a cement fountain and walkway, disposing of debris and excess dirt, installing fencing, and spreading mulch. The project took a total of 708 man-hours to complete.

Starting as a Tiger Cub, Austin has been a Scout for 10 years. Since crossing over to Troop 25, he has earned 27 merit badges and served as senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leader, and librarian in the troop. He is also a member of Scouts BSA's national honor society, the Order of the Arrow. Austin is currently a junior at Central York High School and is interested in studying astrophysics at college.

At the Court of Honor, Austin thanked his parents, his Scoutmaster, fellow Scouts, friends, and family members for their help in completing his project and his Eagle requirements. State Rep. Keith Gillespie sent Austin a Pennsylvania House Citation and a personal letter, and state Sen. Chris Gebhard sent a Pennsylvania Senate Citation. Representatives of the Marine Corps League and the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution attended the Court of Honor and presented Austin with a Good Citizenship Award and Certificate of Recognition. The new Eagle Scout also received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from U.S. Rep. Scott Perry and an American flag that had flown over the United States Capitol in recognition of his achievement.

Scouts BSA Troop 25 meets at Yorkshire UMC, 125 Edgewood Road, York, on Tuesdays from 7 to 8 p.m. in the fellowship hall. For more information, visit https://troop25york.com/.