by David Flint
In a Court of Honor ceremony at the Poestenkill Fire Company on Sunday, June 23, Stephen Pelletier of Berlin was awarded Scouting’s highest honor, the Eagle Scout badge. At age 14, Stephen is one of the youngest in Troop 528 to earn the rank of Eagle. The average age across the country is 17.
[private]To become an Eagle Scout, the Boy Scout must earn at least 21 merit badges. Stephen progressed from Tenderfoot to Eagle starting in September 2009 and earned 32 merit badges along the way. Stephen will be a sophomore this year at Berlin High School.
For his Eagle Scout project, Stephen chose to participate in a program called Makeovers for Kids at St. Catherine’s Center for Children in Albany. Raising over $1,000 and working with local businesses, he designed and coordinated the makeover of a child’s bedroom at the Center’s Copson House in a sports theme. Stephen also wrote letters and got a number of sports teams and individuals to autograph and donate pictures and memorabilia. He and a group of volunteers spent hours renovating, painting and decorating the bedroom. One of the adornments on the walls is a poster signed by Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
St. Catherine’s Executive Director Bill Gettman commented on the Center’s Facebook page that, “There are no words to express the reactions of one of the St Catherine’s children as the result of the Sports Makeover by Stephen and his fellow scouts and leaders. Tears and awe were flowing – great planning, execution and sensitivity to all of the youth who are in out of home care. These Scouts make a difference, and we should be very proud!”
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