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Quarantine-era Eagle Scouts finally recognized

Published August 16. 2022 10:42AM
by Ed Courrier Special to the Bethlehem Press

The Boy Scouts of America Minsi Trails Council were finally able to launch their celebration to honor area scouts who earned their Eagle Scout medal from 2019–2021. After being grounded due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-awaited Court of Honor and Recognition Dinner was held May 19 at the DeSales University Center in Center Valley.

A historic milestone was celebrated at the event with the recognition of 2021’s Inaugural Female Eagle Scouts. Jenaye Saunders from Troop 3193 in Lehigh County and Cassidy Feuerstein from Troop 97 in Monroe County enjoyed the applause, while their fellow sister Eagle Scout, Troop 2019’s Sarah Curely from Hunderton County was unable to attend.

Council board member and Eagle Scout, Class of 1991, Matthew Woodruff welcomed the scouts and their families.

Gerald “Trey” Wachob III from Macungie Troop 71 presided as Master of Ceremonies. A Class of 2021 Eagle Scout, Wachob is also an Order of the Arrow Lodge Chief and Minsi Trails Council member.

Step By Step Learning President Michael Grabarits presented Eagle Scholarships to Eagle Scouts Robert Richard and Cassidy Feuerstein. Each received $1,000 scholarship checks.

Council Board Member Judge Doug Reichley presented Outstanding Eagle Awards to adult scout leaders Matthew Woodruff, Bruce Denlinger and Scott Best “The award recognizes notable Eagle Scouts who have performed distinguished service at the local, state or regional level and have inspired others through their actions,” said Reichley. While recognized, Matthew Pye was not present.

Father James Greenfield, Minsi Trails Council VP of Exploring, led the opening prayer. Council board members Aurel Arndt and Dr. James Roberts oversaw special recognitions.

Statistically, only four percent of Scouts will achieve this honor nationwide.

Attendees from Lehigh County’s Eagle Scout Class of 2020 included Luke Frobase (Troop 25); Nathaniel Woodruff (Troop 364); Peter Capote (Troop 318) Garrett Deppe (Troop 80); Andrew Steigerwalt (Troop 144); Alexander Gable (Troop 431); and William Makovsky (Troop 144). Participants from Northampton County included Matthew Albert (Troop 38); Ryan Rissmiller (Troop 78); Joshua Richter (Troop 76); Malachi Yost (Troop 242); and Joshua Blair (Troop 29). From Monroe County was Jack Mazza (Troop 89). Jareth Jungermann (Troop 25); Trevor Napoli (Troop 555); and Benjamin Connolly (Troop 41) were from the Carbon-Luzerne area. Kayden Stocker; Daniel Kuster and Robert Warsen made up the Warren County, New Jersey, contingent.

Class of 2019 participants from Lehigh County’s Eagle Scouts included Elias Gopen (Troop 431); Aidan Tarafas (Troop 80); Dante Brady (Troop 131); and Brandon Myung (Troop 364). Participants from Northampton County were Cory LaDuca (Troop 44) and Nathaniel Beisel (Troop 317). From Monroe County were Jeremy Major (Troop 98) and Matthew Rogers (Troop 102). Brian Bauer (Troop 555) in the Carbon-Luzerne area attended.

In closing remarks, Minsi Trails Council Commissioner Tamie Swain said, “It’s up to you to lead,” as she called on more adults to step up and serve as scout leaders and council members.

Minsi Trails BSA Council provides leadership and character development programs to nearly 4,000 youth through more than 3,500 adult volunteers. The council serves young people throughout the Anthracite Region, Pocono Mountains and Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, along with western New Jersey, and serves six-counties. Information: www.minsitrails.com.

PRESS PHOTOS BY ED COURIIER Scouts who earned their Eagle Scout medals during 2019 – 2021 were recognized by the Boy Scouts of America Minsi Trails Council at the Court of Honor and Recognition Dinner May 19 at DeSales University.
From left, Council board member Judge Doug Reichley presents Outstanding Eagle Awards to Matthew Woodruff, Bruce Denlinger and Scott Best.
Flanking presenter Step By Step Learning President Michael Grabarits are Monroe County Eagle Scouts Robert Richard and Cassidy Feuerstein. They each received $1,000 scholarship checks.
Trey Wachob from Macungie presided as Master of Ceremonies. A Class of 2021 Eagle Scout, Wachob is also an Order of the Arrow Lodge Chief and Minsi Trails Council member.
Cassidy Feuerstein from Troop 97 Monroe County and Jenaye Saunders from Troop 3193 Lehigh County are honored as two of three 2021 Inaugural Female Eagle Scouts from the Minsi Trails Council.
Flanked by his proud mom Alina at left and Minsi Trails Council Commissioner Tamie Swain, is Eagle Scout Peter Capote from Bethlehem Troop 318. The now 21-year-old earned his badge in 2020 and attends Temple University.
Katrina Wachob with her 15-year-old son Isaac, a First Class Scout in Macungie Troop 71. Wachob's older son Trey is an Eagle Scout.
From left, 15-year-old First Class Scout Isaac Wachob and his older brother Trey, who achieved Eagle in 2021. Both are members of Macungie Troop 71. A 2022 Emmaus High graduate, Trey is attending Kutztown University.
Lehigh County Troop 80 Eagle Scouts hang together for a photo op. From left are 19-year-old Dale Fisher with 18-year-olds Garrett Deppe and Aidan Tarafas. The friends are Emmaus High School grads. Fisher graduated in 2021 and his buddies in 2022. Fisher studies at Penn State Berks and Tarafas attends Lehigh Carbon Community College.
Right, Eagle Scout Trevor Napoli from Troop 555 in Jim Thorpe is recognized as the Minsi Trails nominee for the 2020 Glenn & Melinda Adams Eagle Service Project of the Year Award by NESA Committee Chairperson Aurel Arndt.