Two Chargers Earn Rank of Eagle Scout
Source/Author: By Brian O’Neill, Cat Cobb, Anne Dowling and Derek Hess
February 28, 2019
On February 23, 2019, two Boy Scout Den Chiefs who are members of the Shorecrest Class of 2019 held their Eagle Court of Honor in Shorecrest’s Janet Root Theatre. William Hess ‘19 and Aidan Samuelson ‘19 stood in front of friends, family, and fellow scouts assembled to witness the honor. The boys have been at Shorecrest since their Alpha year, started Scouts together in Shorecrest’s Cub Scout Pack 303, and even went through their Eagle board of review on the same night. It was only fitting that they celebrated their accomplishment in this combined acknowledgement of their Eagle rank.
Will and Aidan both completed their Eagle rank requirements and final Eagle Scout Board of Reviews in November. The event was truly a ceremony, but it is also a celebration of a noteworthy achievement attained through years of dedication, perseverance, conservation, volunteer work, camping, hiking, fundraising, project management, project completion and much more.
The designation "Eagle Scout" was founded over one hundred years ago. According to the BSA, Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. Only four percent of Boy Scouts are granted this rank after a lengthy review process. Current Scouts, note that you can earn the same honor someday!
Both boys picked their concluding Eagle Scout projects based on experiences they had through Shorecrest. Will is a member of the Upper School SPARC Club, and while volunteering with them at PARC he could see the garden needed a makeover and new pergola. Aidan took a walking tour in fourth grade of downtown St. Petersburg, led by Shorecrest parent Emily Elwyn of Preserve the ‘Burg, and he has been intrigued with preservation ever since. For his Eagle Scout project, Aidan worked with Preserve the ‘Burg on an online walking tour.
In the audience were Eagle Scouts David Samuelson, Aidan’s father, and Paul Samuelson, Aidan’s grandfather - both of whom were excited to be on hand to see a third generation of Samuelsons earn his Eagle!
Will and Aidan proudly join a host of other Chargers who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, some of which most recently include:
Walker Willis ‘19 received his Eagle Rank in 2015; Joshua Jacobs ‘20 and Lliam Cobb ‘20 earned their Eagle Scout ranks in 2016; in 2017, both Chris Canizares ‘19 and Alexander Alvarez ‘21 were awarded the prestigious rank; and Gregory Glasscock '21 received his in 2018. Some Charger Alumni who also achieved Eagle Scout include Jack O’Neill ‘18, Aaron Stypinski ‘16, Patrick Farese ‘16, Jackson Willis ‘15, Christian Jones ‘15, Jeremy Jones ‘15, John Farese ‘14 and Matthew Hobbs '14.
About Scouting at Shorecrest:
Cub Scouting begins at Shorecrest in first grade with Tiger Cubs and finishes up with Webelos in fifth grade, when boys can then move into Boy Scouts. All of the Chargers listed started in Cub Scout Pack 303 and received their Eagle Scout rank at St. Raphael’s Troop 219 (Shorecrest has a Cub Scout Troop but does not have a Boy Scout Troop.)
Shorecrest’s Cub Scout Pack 303 meets each month on campus and always welcomes new members - boys and girls. Each meeting starts with a snack, then focuses on Scouting skills and ideals and combines them with fun activities. Last month we built and launched air rockets!
The next Pack 303 meeting is on Tuesday, March 5, and we will gather outside the Lower School office and we typically proceed as a group to the Middle School covered pavilion.
For more information on attending the next meeting or volunteering, please contact Cubmaster Brian O’Neill ([email protected], 727-515-9253) or Troop Chair Catherine Cobb ([email protected], 727-698-3551). Learn more on the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council website: https://tampabayscouting.org.
