Five local La Crescenta boys have received the distinguished honor of achieving rank as Eagle Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America. Max Burton, Seth Gillins, Alden Marriott, Max Reil and Henry Taylor, all members of Boy Scout Troop 390 chartered through The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, have worked together for nearly 10 years – since Cub scouting days. The troop recognized the newly pinned Eagle Scouts with a joint Court of Honor held on Dec. 15. Scoutmasters Steve Reil and Marcus Burton presented the official hardware and Crescenta Valley High School principal Linda Junge paid tribute to the five young men, all in their junior and sophomore years at CVHS.

The five Eagle Scout projects conceived and directed by these recent Eagle Scouts are the culminating project in a years-long trail to Eagle, which has taken each scout on a personal journey in learning, leadership and service. These projects have made a lasting impact in communities both near and far. 

Max Burton, 16, directed a team of volunteers to make and install campsite identification posts in the upper and lower campgrounds at Henninger Flats in the San Gabriel Mountains above Altadena. Burton is also a dedicated competitor on the CVHS track and cross-country team and is the son of Erin and Marcus Burton.

Seth Gillins, 16, led a crew through upkeep at the Ronald McDonald House in Pasadena. His team repainted a stairway and landing on the second floor near the main bedroom area. Gillins enjoys running track, gymnastics, music and a Saturday job at Schreiners Deli in Montrose. He is the son of Deborah and Bryant Gillins.

Alden Marriott, 16, guided his troop, friends and family to build and install several handcrafted benches, replace the wood in crumbling tables and seats, clear brush and replace a stove at the Henninger Flats Campground. The campground has been favorite home to Troop 390 for a dozen overnights in recent years. Marriott swims and plays water polo and croquet at CVHS.  Parents are Lisa and Marc Marriott.

Max Reil’s, 17, Eagle Scout project benefited the Door of Faith Orphanage in Baja California, Mexico. Reil led the community to collect two vans worth of food, clothing and diapers, plus cash donations. He was able to personally deliver the donations to the orphanage – an experience with major personal impact. Reil enjoys discussing and debating politics, history and current events as well as hiking, backpacking and traveling. Reil’s parents are Suzette and Stephen Reil.

Henry Taylor, 16, ignited and supervised a monumental effort involving many hours of support from his troop and other friends to make animal comfort items for the animal rescue shelter at the Pasadena Humane Society. Over one hundred rescues will benefit with beds and blankets.