Andrew James Homlish earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor, during a ceremony Aug. 9 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Coplay.

He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 79. His mother, Amy Yanoshik, is an assistant Scoutmaster, and his brother, Zach Homlish, is a previous Eagle Scout recipient.

Troop 79 is sponsored by the Holy Name Society, St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Stiles.

The troop’s Scoutmaster, Al Edelman, said Homlish joins an elite fraternity of astronauts, presidents and people in all spheres of life who have attained Eagle Scout rank.

“I now declare you an Eagle Scout,” Frank Tauber, Troop 79 charter representative, said at the ceremony.

Edelman and Tauber presented Homlish the Eagle award, and his mother pinned it on him.

State Rep. Julie Harhart, R-183rd, presented Homlish with a citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Whitehall Township Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. presented Homlish with a commendation from the board of commissioners and the office of mayor.

Through the ranks of Tenderfoot, Life Scout and Eagle Scout, Homlish has been the recipient of numerous awards, including senior patrol leader, and earned 34 merit badges.

For his Eagle project, Homlish constructed a pergola, benches and trail fence at Riverview Park in Cementon.

An Allentown Central Catholic High School graduate, he is attending DeSales University.