Scout Scott Byers earns highest rank

SPARTA — A special Court of Honor was held by Troop 150 on Sunday, March 10 to award the rank of Eagle Scout to 16-year-old Scott Byers.

Scott is the son of Craig and Andrey Byers and he is a junior at Sparta High School.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Boy Scouting and takes many years of hard work. Only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts. To earn the rank of Eagle a scout must show leadership, service, outdoor skills, citizenship, character and personal fitness by earning at least 21 merit badges and completing a community service project.

Scott’s Eagle project was a beautification project at Our Lady of the Lake Church. He made two picnic tables, painted walls, and planted a tree and bushes.

It took six days and 84 volunteer hours, including help from 14 other boy scouts from Troop 150, his dad and his brother.

Scott also completed 26 merit badges, 15 of them optional, and earned the Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pious religious medals.

One of Scott’s most memorable moments from his Court of Honor ceremony was Father David McDonnell, and Deacon David Monteleone doing the invocation and benediction. Another special moment was when his brother Jonathan and his sister Catherine read congratulatory letters.

Scott said that one of the coolest trips he did in scouting was the high adventure Seabase Trek in the Florida Keys. In addition to scouting, Scott plays football, track and field and has a leadership role in the altar server program at Our Lady of the Lake Church.

Sparta Troop 150 meets at 7 p.m. on Monday nights at the Sparta United Methodist Church. All interested boys between the ages of 11 and 18 are welcome. For more information, visit www.spartatroop150.org

This press release was written by 12-year-old boy scout Hunter Roggero as part of his troop position of responsibility. As troop journalist, Hunter is responsible for publicizing the activities and efforts of Troop 150 and communicating with local newspapers and media outlets.