Joshua Lee, Freddie Ireland, Tate Harper, Jordan Gutierrez, Ryan Kinzel, Charles Ward, Griffith Burzynski and Quin Dodson of La Crescenta have earned Scout BSA’s highest advancement award, the Eagle Scout Award. All eight Scouts were recognized in a joint court of honor ceremony on June 5 at Verdugo Memorial Hall, provided by Troop 288’s chartered organization, the American Legion Post 288. As members of Verdugo Hills Council, Troop 288, Lee, Ireland, Harper, Gutierrez, Kinzel, Ward, Burzynski and Dodson are among only approximately 4% of Scouts who attain the Eagle rank, according to Scoutmaster Andrew Midgley.

Each candidate must earn 21 merit badges and successfully complete a community, church or synagogue-related service project to earn his Eagle. The eight projects completed by each Scout over the past two years have benefited Union Station Homeless Services, Ananda Ashrama spiritual center, Jordan Downs Community Center, Crescenta Valley Community Regional Park, Crescenta Valley High School and the LAPD. Together, the projects represent over 750 hours of community service organized and overseen by these Scouts. (Fun fact: With a current value-per-volunteer-hour estimated at $29.95, 750 hours equals over $22,000 worth of time invested in the local community.)

The eight Scouts have demonstrated leadership, commitment and resilience during their time in Scouts. In addition to awards for their Eagle advancements, Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian, City of Glendale mayor, attended the event and presented each Scout with a commendation letter from the city.

The Verdugo Hills Council, BSA, provide values-based programs to more than 1,500 young men and women in the Glendale, Burbank, Sun Valley, Sunland, Tujunga, La Crescenta, Montrose, Eagle Rock and Highland Park communities of Los Angeles County.

Provided by Melanie BURZYNSKI