By Samantha SLAYBACK

Two months into the New Year many people are just beginning to think about filing their taxes, while others are giving up on New Year’s resolutions and some are still recovering from the holidays. However, for one community member it has already proven to be a successful year. Richard Toyon started off 2015 winning two very different awards.

Cinematic production designer by day, Toyon works on the HBO show “Silicon Valley.” But when he’s not working on the show, he spends a great amount of time with his family and, in the past several years, acting as a volunteer leader for the Foothill Division of the Boy Scouts.

“Production design is my day passion and scouting was my evening and weekend passion,” explained Toyon.

Toyon first became involved with the Boy Scouts when his son became a Tiger Scout for Pack 317 in the first grade.

“Scouting is one of those programs that still reveres a tradition and passage to manhood,” said Toyon. “Our youth have many influences coming at them every day and Boy Scouts provides a safe, fun and character-building path to a smarter future.”

Toyon added that the Scouts encompassed many things he wanted his son to experience, such as camaraderie, outings, campfires and just simple, goofy fun in general. Toyon remained alongside his son as he rose through the ranks from Tiger Scout to Eagle Scout.

“I think my greatest joy was to see the kids grow to young men then endeavor at their own speed and success, and begin to captain their own ship,” said Toyon. “Of course, I was especially proud of my own son when he achieved his Eagle rank, but I was also exceptionally proud of each Scout who made Eagle.”

Eventually, Toyon took over as Scoutmaster and held that title for seven years. After all of his time spent mentoring the Scouts, Toyon kicked off 2015 by being awarded the Silver Beaver Award by the Verdugo Hills Council of Boy Scouts.

The Silver Beaver Award is an honor given to an adult leader who has shown hard work and dedication and given many years of service. It is generally presented to those who do not seek it and is the highest award a volunteer scout leader can receive from a Boy Scout council.

“I really did not expect it, but I am proud and honored to be chosen to receive it,” said Toyon. “I will wear my honor with distinction and pride.”

After being honored by the Boy Scouts, Toyon received yet another, very different kind of recognition when the Art Directors Guild presented him with the Excellence in Production Design Award for “Silicon Valley.” Toyon had previously been nominated for an Emmy Award twice, and nominated for an ADG award three times.

“It is nice to be Emmy nominated, but being nominated by my peers for the ADG award is nothing less than gratifying – sort of a validation of one’s craft,” said Toyon.

  Samantha SLAYBACK