A Court of Honor was held in the St. Ann School gymnasium June 12 to recognize four young men who earned the highest rank of Eagle Scout.

The program began with opening remarks by Scoutmaster Craig Deppe, Senior Patrol Leader Nicholas Compano and Assistant Patrol Leader Ethan Mauer. The audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance and approximately 20 audience members joined the Scouts in reciting the Scout Oath and Law.

The opening prayer was led by Chaplain Aide James Ryan.

Master of Ceremonies and Committee Chair Andrew Mauer noted less than 5% of all Scouts will achieve the highest rank of Eagle Scout. Approximately 20 men in the audience stood to be recognized as having earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

In the Voice of an Eagle, Scouts described each of the ranks as candles were lit to highlight them, leading to the Eagle Scout. Anthony Romero, Liam Hughes, Reno Guastella and Hayden Granitz were honored in this Court of Honor.

Speaking to the young men, Mauer said, “Your diligence paid off.” Granitz was unable to participate in the ceremony due to a family commitment. For his service project, Granitz painted and built target stands and tables as well as cleaned up brush for the Topton Fish and Game Club. He is the son of Greg Granitz and Kristin Liszewski, of Lower Macungie.

Eagle Scout A.J. Brownbridge read the poem, “It’s Only a Pin” by an author unknown. He recited, “Yes, it’s only a pin, just an Eagle Scout Badge, but the heart that’s beneath it beats true, and will throb to the last for the things which are good, a lesson for me and for you.”

Eagle Scout Jonathon Romero described the qualifications for Eagle Scout and assured the audience each of the four Scouts had met these qualifications. These include being a Life Scout, earning at least 21 merit badges, holding a leadership position in the Troop, completing a service project, securing letters of recommendation, participating in conferences and board reviews and living the Scout Oath and Law.

Eagle Scout Supreeth D’Mello explained the Eagle Scout Challenge as not only an “accomplishment, but also a responsibility.” He told the Scouts to “live with honor, treat others the way you want to be treated, display the courage to do what is right no matter what others might do or say, serve others and have a vision to blaze your own trail. Lead your nation toward a better tomorrow.”

Romero, Hughes and Guastella were escorted to the stage during the Eagle Charge led by David Romero.

Parents Ed and Helen Romero, of Upper Milford, Jessica and Ben Hughes, of Lower Macungie and Laurie and Michael Guastella, of Emmaus were also escorted to the stage for the Presentation of Eagle Scout. The mothers placed the Eagle Scout pins on their sons and Romero, Hughes and Guastella placed pins on their mothers.

Parents assisted their sons in wearing the neckerchiefs. Fathers received pins from their sons and sons provided pins to their fathers. Completing the service project portion of the Eagle Scout application requires a family commitment. Mothers were given roses by their sons and even Guastella’s grandmother in the audience was recognized for being a part of his experience.

Fred Flemming, an Eagle Scout and Scoutmaster explained why parishes support Scouting. “It’s the right thing to do.” Flemming provided a brief history of Scouting and thanked the young men for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

A representative for state Sen. Jarrett Coleman, R-16th, Sarah Hildebrandt said “Jarrett sends his congratulations. You have a purpose to lead.”

State Rep. Gary Day, R-187th, and state Sen. Nick Miller, D-14th, were unable to attend but provided certificates to the new Eagle Scouts.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman also sent letters of recognition to each of the young men.

State Rep. Milou Mackenzie, R-131st, presented a citation for Anthony Romero for the restoration of the church bells at St. Ann Parish in Emmaus. “Thank you, Anthony, for the work you did right here at St. Ann’s Church,” she said. For his service project, Romero refurbished the church bells for the Troop’s chartered organization by cleaning and polishing them. He also created display boxes for each of the bells.

State Rep. Peter Schweyer, D-134th, told the young men that in their experience “we get to meet a lot of nice people who always say ‘someone oughtta.’ Eagle Scouts never say this. They say “I will” or “We will.” He added, “If there’s a problem, Eagle Scouts say, “We got this.” He provided the young men with proclamations.

U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-7th, was unable to attend but sent his representative Rochelle Pasquariello on his behalf. Pasquariello thanked the young men for their dedication and commitment to service.

Finally, Emmaus Mayor Lee Ann Gilbert read a proclamation and awarded certificates to each of the young men for their service to their communities.

Bronze, Gold and Silver Palms were awarded to each of the young men. Romero earned one of each Palms for 39 badges. Guastella earned one of each with 36 badges. Hughes earned a Gold and Bronze Palm with 35 badges.

Deppe gifted each of the new Eagle Scouts with boxes engraved with the date acknowledging the achievement of Eagle Scout. Parents were given an opportunity to speak about their sons.

Helen Romero said “he (Anthony) was so little and the time went by so quickly.” She thanked her older sons for their guidance in helping Anthony through Scouting.

Ben Hughes said he wanted Liam to join Scouting to “learn to become more independent.” He told the audience working with his son on his Eagle Scout project was his favorite thing to do and he is proud to pass by his project in the neighborhood everyday. Hughes worked with his homeowners association in Lower Macungie Township to build a kiosk that provides a bulletin board to keep residents informed. It displays upcoming events and includes a lending library.

Laurie Guastella shared that achieving Eagle Scout “is not easy to do but Reno stuck it out and made us so proud.” Guastella, of Emmaus, expanded the veteran’s area at the Emmaus Remembrance Garden. He removed shrubs, leveled ground and expanded the brick pathway to the flagpole. He doubled the size of the flagstone area allowing more open space for ceremonies.

Liam Hughes thanked his fellow Scouts, especially Reno Guastella, for convincing him to join Troop 80. “It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I’m proud to stand next to you both” he said. He also thanked Scout Leader Aiden Tarafas for being a friend to him. He said when he was a freshman in high school and eating alone, Tarafas invited him to join his table. Hughes realized he could make real friends through Scouting.

Each of the Eagle Scouts thanked their families for their support in Scouting.

Ryan provided the benediction and the ceremony concluded. Refreshments were provided in the school cafeteria following the ceremony.

Individuals interested in Scouting can reach out to their local church for more information.