Falmouth Eagle Scouts during the Presentation of the Colors walk forward to be honored in front of their families at Community Park on Sunday as rain clouds roll in. Kristen McNerney / The Forecaster
It was an unusual ceremony and an unusual year for Troop 93, but the recently awarded Eagle Scouts were prepared to brave the circumstances, rain or shine, pandemic or not.
“I want to commend the leadership of this group,” said Scout Executive Matt Klutzaritz. “They just kept going.”
Sam Scala is presented with his royal blue Eagle Scout neckerchief in a moment of heat and sunshine Kristen McNerney / The Forecaster
Troop leader Andrew Kinley said most of the nine who were honored on Sunday became Eagle Scouts in 2020 with the last one finishing up the program this February, but they insisted they wait until it was safe to have a ceremony all together. Kinley said the year was challenging and some thought they weren’t going to be able to finish their projects, but they found a way.
The Scouts recognized were Maximilian Hau, Christopher Kinley, Joseph Lavallee, Marc Libby, Max Peters, Maxwell Polsky, Samuel Scala, Patrick Wahlig and Wade Wahlig. Their projects ranged from building bird houses and cleaning up a cemetery, to constructing accessible benches and rooting out invasive species at a ball field. High school senior Marc Libby, who is headed to the Air Force as an E3 officer due to his rank as an Eagle Scout, donated more than 700 articles of new and used clothing to the Preble Street Teen Shelter last year.
When the Scouts were called up to be honored, they awarded a chosen individual who has helped them in their scouting journey with a mentor pin. Hau, who joined Boy Scouts in 2014, gave his pin to his mom. “She’s helped me become the person I am today,” he said.
To become Eagle Scouts, the boys must earn a total of 21 pins, with 13 of them for required skills. The required pins are represented by silver borders on their vests and include emergency preparedness, environmental science, and citizenship in the community. Scala said his chosen pins represent skills such as music, sailing, and fire safety.
Sen. Cathy Breen, D-Cumberland, honored the Scouts with a legislative sentiment on behalf of the Maine Senate.
“This is the highest award in Scouting and it’s given for excellence in skill development, leadership, personal growth and community service,” she read. “We extend our congratulations and best wishes.”
Chuck Mahaleris, staff assistant to U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, read a message on behalf of the Maine senator. “I know I join your family and friends in extending my heartiest congratulations and my very best wishes for your continued success in all of your future endeavors,” he read.
Troop leader Kinley said he felt emotional because he had led some of the boys since they were in first grade. With the pandemic restrictions loosening up, Kinley said the troop was able to get in a couple of hikes within the past month as well a scavenger hunt. For most of the past year, Scouting activities weren’t the same and the boys had to work in smaller groups.
Kinley said he will be taking on 10 new Scouts in the fall.
“They are the leaders of tomorrow,” said Klutzaritz.
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