MATTAWAN, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Earning the honor of Eagle Scout is somewhat rare, but having seven from one Boy Scout troop being named Eagle Scout at one time is almost unheard of.
Seven Scouts, Nick Alsvig, Nicholas Loney, Liam Drake, Dalton Moore, Adam Misiuk, and Graison Lunder, were recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest rank, at a Court of Honor ceremony held at the Lawton Community Center May 22.
Since only 4% of all Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle, officials with Mattawan BSA Troop 161 is honored to have seven Scouts complete this feat in the last 14 months after years of working toward this rank. The COVID-19 pandemic complicated the process by adding restrictions that made it harder to complete their service projects.
To achieve the rank of Eagle, a Scout must demonstrate proficiency in approximately 325 different requirements in leadership, service, and skills such as First Aid, Cooking, Camping, Personal Management, and Family Life while they advanced through the ranks of Scouting, which includes Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle.
To reach the rank of Eagle, a Scout must demonstrate leadership by individually planning, developing, and leading others through the completion of a service project that benefits an organization outside of Scouting. The rank requirement culminates with the Scout appearing before a board of adult leaders to explain their project and what they have learned.
Th seven worked together towards this goal since their days as Cub Scouts with Mattawan Pack 161. They also participated in Troop 161’s BSA High Adventure opportunities. Collectively, they canoed a two-day, 25-mile stretch of Michigan’s Rifle River in 2018 and 2021, sailed for five days in and around St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in 2019, and canoed an eight-day trip in the Boundary Waters area of Northern Minnesota in 2017 and 2021.
The Chartered Organization for Troop 161 is the Mattawan Lions Club.
Below are the descriptions of the completed Eagle Scout Projects.
Nick Alsvig – son of David and Diane Alsvig of Texas Township
My Eagle Scout Project consisted of making benches for the preschool at Zion Lutheran Church. The benches were small and made of plywood. Although they were easy to assemble and put in place, I needed leadership skills to teach the people helping me what I envisioned for the project
Nicholas Loney – son of Tim and Nancy Loney of Almena Township
My Eagle Scout Project was the complete restoration of Saint John Bosco’s “Mary Garden,” which included removing trash and overgrown vegetation, cleaning and power-washing existing structures, refurbishing the statue, moving the entire raised garden forward eight feet, replanting shrubs and flowers, installing new solar lights, and building and installing two new benches.
Liam Drake – son of Michael and Pamela Drake of Oshtemo Township
My Eagle Scout Project included building 5 benches for the Historic Drake Farmstead Park in Oshtemo Township. I adapted a bench design to make it ADA Compliant. The benches were built from logs harvested from the property. I helped to mill the logs into lumber, which was then prepared and assembled into the 5 benches. I oversaw the delivery and installation along the walking trails.
Carter Assink – son of Bryce and Darcie Assink of Oshtemo Township
My Eagle Scout Project was the restoration of the arboretum at Southridge Church. We planted perennials and replaced a tree. I pruned trees and shrubs and pulled many weeds. We also cleaned the arbor, painted the sign, and reset the peace pole. Careful edging and cleaning of the tribute bricks made them visible once again to their loved ones. The project was completed with fresh mulch.
Dalton Moore – son of Richard and Renee Moore of Oshtemo Township
My Eagle Scout Project included making 4 fidget boards for dementia patients. Two were tactile using sponges, felt, Velcro, balloons, and zippers. Two were hardware using wooden beads, door stops, light switches, wheels, and water valves.
Adam Misiuk – son of Arthur and Dr. Magdalena Misiuk of Texas Township
My Eagle Scout Project consisted of reconstructing a trail at Lillian Anderson Arboretum, belonging to Kalamazoo College. We transported 3 pickup truck loads of concrete and cinder blocks for the base ¼ mile by wheelbarrow to the site. We followed this with multiple layers of a crushed asphalt and dirt mix. Then finished by hand tamping the top layer of material. This project made it possible for visitors and maintenance vehicles to safely pass through the area.
Graison Lunder – son of Ed and Linda Lunder of Texas Township
My Eagle Scout Project was for the Mattawan Area Pantry, where I led a team that built a donation box used by the community to drop off non-perishable food items. I organized and conducted a food drive that raised money and a truck load of food. Additionally, I created awareness in the community of the new location of the Pantry and new donation box.
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