Boy Scout Troop 79, Stiles, has a rich history of its members reaching the pinnacle of Scouting, the Eagle award.

On Sept. 27, Samuel Lee Harwi became an Eagle Scout during a Court of Honor held at Ruffenach Hall, on the campus of St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, Stiles.

The ceremony for the 18-year-old inductee capped a journey that began in 2008 when Harwi became a Cub Scout and, later in the year, a Tenderfoot Boy Scout. Harwi continued his rise with Troop 79, gaining honors of Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, Minsi Trails Council and then Eagle.

Adding to Harwi’s impressive list of 28 merit badges and several other awards was State Rep. Dan McNeill, D-133rd, presenting Harwi with a Pennsylvania House of Representatives citation. Whitehall Mayor Edward D. Hozza Jr. also presented a township citation.

Harwi, a Whitehall High School graduate, is enrolled in the honors scholars program at Lehigh Carbon Community College. While in high school, he was a member of National Honor Society, Spanish National Honor Society and Science National Honor Society.

A poignant moment at the ceremony took place when Harwi’s mother, Patricia, placed the Eagle pin on her son’s shirt. His father, Jody, also participated.

Boy Scout Troop 79 Leader Al Edelman lauded Harwi’s excellence in troop activities, patrol leadership and troop guidance.

The program included other awards, such as Voice of the Eagle, Trail to Eagle, Eagle Challenge and Eagle Pledge/Charge/Promise.