Scouts from Troop 267 were honored recently.

In June, Fredonia’s BSA Scout Troop 267, sponsored by the American Legion Post 59 in Fredonia, held a Court of Honor to celebrate the accomplishments of the prior quarter. The Court of Honor ceremony began with a potluck dinner. The formal ceremony commenced with a greeting by the Troop’s Committee Chairperson Todd Proffitt, followed by the Advancement of Colors, the Pledge of Allegiance, and recitation of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, led by Masters of Ceremonies Senior Patrol Leader Cooper Stenger and Patrol Leader Tasha Kemp. Troop Chaplain Walt Sedlmayer shared the opening prayer.

Honored guest Sen. George Borrello was in attendance to present Eagle Scout Samuel Bowers with a New York State Senate Proclamation honoring Bowers as the recipient of the Allegheny Highlands Council Eagle Scout Project of the Year for 2022.

Scoutmaster Jim Stenger, Senior Patrol Leader Cooper Stenger, and Patrol Leader Tasha Kemp then continued with the presentation of other awards, beginning with rank advancements. Tyler Field and Owen Lukach were presented with their Tenderfoot Rank.

Henry Hegna received his Second Class Rank. Ralph Mueller and Ben Spengler received First Class Rank. Star Rank was presented to Nathan Balch and Hayden Bush. Colden Noody was recognized as being the Troop’s most recent Eagle Scout.

Ninety-five merit badges were earned since the prior Court of Honor by the following Scouts: Nathan Balch (7), Matt Brown (1), Hayden Bush (3), Charlie Cinque (1), Aaron Cook (7), Ryan Cook (6), Jethduan Cordova-Olmo (6), Tanner Damon (4), Tyler Field (4), Nathan Kelly (5), Max Kropp (2), Adam Lukach (2), Owen Lukach (1), Cayden Maguire (4), Zachary Maguire (2), Ralph Mueller (11), Evan Pelletter (3), Ben Spengler (4), Jack Spengler (2), Cooper Stenger (1), Lenieth Velez-Olmo (3), Eli Williams (5), Bella Crowell (3), Tasha Kemp (5), and Liadan Quinn (3).

In addition to the merit badges, various other awards were presented. Eagle Scout Cooper Stenger was recognized as the Chautauqua County American Legion 2023 Boy Scout of the Year. The Ad Altare Dei Catholic Religious Emblem Award was earned by four Scouts: Samuel Bowers, Jethduan Cordova-Olmo, Ben Spengler, Jack Spengler. The Messenger of Peace emblem was presented to Hayden Bush, Nathan Kelly, Cayden Maguire, Zachary Maguire, Ralph Mueller, Bella Crowell, and Natasha Kemp. The Boy Scout Cyber Chip emblem was earned by Nathan Balch, Aaron Cook, and Ryan Cook. Nathan Balch earned the Standup Paddleboarding Emblem. Hayden Bush and Matt Brown were recognized for completing the Order of the Arrow Ordeal.

A camping trip to Letchworth State Park earned the following Scouts the Kayaking Emblem: Nathan Balch, Aaron Cook, Ryan Cook, Jethduan Cordova-Olmo, Tanner Damon, Tyler Field, Nathan Kelly, Cayden Maguire, Zachary Maguire, Ralph Mueller, Even Pelletter, Ben Spengler, Jack Spengler, and Eli Williams. In addition, the following Scouts earned the Whitewater Rafting BSA Award: Nathan Balch, Hayden Bush, Aaron Cook, Jethduan Cordova-Olmo, Tanner Damon, Tyler Field, Nathan Kelly, Cayden Maguire, Zachary Maguire, Ralph Mueller, Even Pelletter, Ben Spengler, Jack Spengler, Eli Williams, Bella Crowell, Tasha Kemp, Liadan Quinn. Adult leaders and volunteers Becky Schafer, Melissa Balch, Joe Mueller, Erika Valentine, and Flack Maguire also earned the Whitewater Rafting BSA Award.

Other awards earned included the French Interpreter Strip by Riley Smith Mallon and 100 Nights of Camping by Lenieth Velez-Olmo. Samuel Bowers earned the Silver Eagle Scout Palm and Matt Brown earned the Gold Eagle Scout Palm, indicating their continued involvement in Scouting, beyond achieving the rank of Eagle.

Matt Brown earned the Keep America Beautiful Hometown USA Award. Brown also earned the Riding segment of the National Outdoor Achievement Award, as well as three Gold device pins for Camping, one Silver device pin for Camping, one Gold device pin for Conservation, and one Gold device pin for Hiking.

Service Stars were presented to 3 Scouts: Cayden Maguire and Zachary Maguire (1 year) and Natasha Kemp (4 years). In addition, the Troop presented Service Stars to the following adult volunteers: Andrea Spengler (1 year), Dustin Lukach and Todd Proffitt (3 years), and Ron Bowers (6 years).

Scoutmaster Jim Stenger recognized and thanked the outgoing youth officers including Patrol Leaders Tyler Field, Ben Spengler, Nathan Balch, Adam Lukach, Zachary Maguire, and Natasha Kemp; Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders Charlie Cinque and Jethduan Cordova-Olmo; and Senior Patrol Leader Cooper Stenger. New Senior Patrol Leaders for the upcoming six month term were identified as Lenieth Velez-Olmo and Natasha Kemp. Committee Chair Todd Proffitt then brought former Committee Chair Cynthia Smith to the podium to present her with a wooden plaque in gratitude for her 4 years of Committee Chair leadership.

Proffitt then wrapped up the meeting by reviewing the list of upcoming Troop activities and then thanking all Scouts, leadership, and adults that all have roles and responsibilities in the Troop. New Senior Patrol Leader Lenieth Velez-Olmo closed the Court of Honor with the Retirement of the Colors, and then invited the Scouts to gather for a group photo.

Troop 267 meets Mondays at 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 59, 156 E. Main St. in Fredonia, and is open to all boys and girls who are at least 11 years of age or have completed the fifth grade. For more information about the Troop and how to join, visit the Troop’s website at: https://www.fredoniatroop267.com.