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Eight Cape Region teens get Boy Scouts’ highest honor

Scouts honored with House and Senate recognition
June 25, 2017

Only about 2 percent of the many children who participate in Boy Scouts of America advance to the organization’s highest honor: Eagle Scout.

But in the Cape Region, Troop 2540, led by scoutmaster Bob Curatola, has defied those odds.

Eight members of the troop have been inducted as Eagle Scouts. Of the eight new inductees, six were on hand to accept the honor June 8 at St. Edmond’s Catholic Church in Rehoboth Beach: Ben Conrad, Sam Townsend, Will Geppert, Cole Smith, Collin Sullivan and Matt Zehner. Also named Eagle Scouts but not present were Steve Smailer and Cole Conrad.

The boys all started as Tiger Scouts when they were in first or second grade. To attain the rank of Eagle Scout, a scout must collect 21 merit badges, demonstrate an ideal attitude and complete an extensive service project - all before the scout turns 18. The six scouts said it was their families who got them interested and kept them going toward the Eagle Scout rank.

“My brother was an Eagle Scout and I saw how much it taught him. I thought it was something I could do and would give me a lot in life,” Matt Zehner said.

He said scouting has taught him leadership and respect, and that thanks to being a Scout, he found a path forward in life. As a 12-year-old, he earned a golf merit badge and took up the game. Zehner said he plans to major in professional golf management at Penn State University starting in the fall.

“My dad, when he was young, he did Scouts and only got up to Wolf. I entered at Tiger, and I made a goal that I would get up to Eagle for both of us,” Smith said. “I feel like we both got Eagle Scout today, not just me.”

Smith said scouting has been the most rewarding experience in his life, exposing him to new opportunities and experiences. He said he wants to work in environmental engineering, a career track inspired by cleanup efforts with the Boy Scouts.

Conrad said he was determined to see scouting through to the end.

“If I had stopped anywhere short I would have felt like it was incomplete. It felt really nice to finish everything out. It feels like a section of me is complete,” he said.

Conrad said the biggest lesson he learned from scouting is to be flexible and change plans on the fly.

Townsend said his brother was also an Eagle Scout, which encouraged him to be involved.

“I never thought I would be one,” he said.

For his Eagle Scout project, Townsend helped install a permanent fire pit at Trap Pond State Park in memory of his grandfather. He said his fondest memory of the Scouts will be a trip the boys took to Staten Island.

Of what he learned in scouting, Townsend said, “To keep pushing forward. Be ready for everything in life that comes.”

Sullivan said he has met his closest friends through scouting.

“Scouting has given me some of the best memories of my life,” he said. “It’s been a long journey, but a fond one.”

Geppert said his great-grandfather was an Eagle Scout, and it was meaningful to him to follow in his footsteps. His Eagle Scout project was a collaboration with Zehner to build a brick wall at St. Edmond’s.

“Scouting, it’s always work hard and do your best. Know that someone else has your back. Work as a team but don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it,” Geppert said.

Besides their Eagle Scout bandanas and badges, the boys all received recognition from the Delaware General Assembly, as presented by Rep. Steve Smyk, R-Milton and Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes. The group was honored by the full General Assembly at a ceremony at Legislative Hall June 13.

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