Scout from Troop 92 earns Eagle

Fredon Township — Les Guthrie was recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He is a member of Fredon Township Boy Scout Troop 92, chartered to Yellow Frame Church. Starting in 1997 as a 5-year-old Tiger Cub in Andover Township, Les’s first experiences in scouting began 10 years of camping, hiking, jamborees, and the development of an appreciation and respect for the environment. Les obtained the highest Cub Scout achievement of the Arrow of Light in 2002. Since then, he has attended summer camp at Allamuchy Scout Reservation where he earned numerous merit badges. Eagle Scouts must have completed at least 21 merit badges and organized a service project that benefits his church, community, or school. Only about three percent of the boys who enter scouting achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Les joins an impressive group of individuals who became Eagle Scouts, including former President Gerald Ford, former U. S. Senator Sam Nunn, astronaut James Lovell, and movie director Steven Spielberg. For his eagle project Les and fellow scouts worked together to install a new paver walkway at the Harmony Lodge in Andover. The beautification project enhanced the front of the lodge. The young men spent approximately 250 hours to accomplish the task. Troop Leader Dan Kaufmann, a member and officer at the Masonic Lodge, helped arrange the project. The Masonic Lodge members had been acquiring donations for bricks for three years. Among his accomplishments, Guthrie attended the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) Leadership Course, played Kittatinny Midget Football, played on the Newton Roller Hockey Team, was a member of the Middle School Anti-Bullying Class and participated in REBEL (a group of teens dedicated to educating peers, middle and elementary school children, and other members of the community about the dangers of tobacco use). Guthrie, currently a student at Kittatinny High School, has been active in Madrigal Singers, has been involved with the Kittatinny High School Theatre Program - participating in both fall and spring plays. Les intends to continue his education at either Rutgers University, Ramapo College, or Wagner College. He is the grandson of Frank and Diana Wallace of Fredon Township.