Ralph Mueller’s work on the Smith Mills Cemetery earned him the prominent honor.

An Eagle Scout Court of Honor was recently celebrated for Ralph Mueller.

Ralphie officially earned the rank of Eagle Scout on May 22 at just 13 years old, significantly younger than the average Eagle Scout. When Ralphie bridged from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts, he told his parents that he wanted to earn Eagle and wanted to do so at the age of 13. With a lot of hard work and dedication, he was able to successfully meet this incredible goal.

To earn the rank of Eagle Scout is a major achievement with high standards that have been well maintained by the Boy Scouts Of America over the years. Only about 4% of all scouts earn this rank.

The ceremony was held at Hanover Bicentennial Park in Smiths Mill. Scoutmasters Joe and Carrie Ann Mueller presented the award, while Troop 267 Committee Chair Holly Field served as Master Of Ceremonies. Senior Patrol Leader Natasha Kemp assisted in leading the ceremony as well. Eagle Scout Riley Smith-Mallon delivered the Eagle Charge.

In attendance to help celebrate Ralphie included family, friends, scouts and a few special guests who gave speeches to honor him. Jay McManus, Chautauqua County American Legion Scouting Chair honored Ralphie with a speech and a special certificate. Brian Abram, a representative for U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy also spoke and presented a beautiful certificate. Ralphie was presented with a number of certificates, including those from Senator George Borrello, Assemblyman Andrew Molitor and U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer

Among the many requirements necessary to achieve the Eagle Scout rank include earning a total of 21 required merit badges, serving in leadership positions and learning a lot about citizenship and giving service. The most notable requirement is the Eagle Scout Project. The scout must develop, plan, fundraise and manage a service project to benefit the community. Ralphie’s Eagle Scout Project was cleaning, repairing and restoring gravestones at the Smiths Mill Cemetery.

This project was very meaningful and personal for Ralphie due to his great grandparents being buried there. He thought that while his great grandparents are so meaningful to him and he hopes that they will always be honored, that all the other people there also have meant something to someone and all deserve their memories honored.

With donations from family, friends and community members who felt it to be a worthy project, Ralphie was able to raise the money to carry this out. Then he quickly got to work at planning and preparing to get started. With help from family and members of his scout troop and over 160 hours of service, over 35 stones were cleaned, 5 repaired and 6 leveled as well as a rainwater collection system built.

While 21 merit badges are required to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, at the time of his ceremony, Ralphie had earned 61. Eagle Palms are bronze, gold, and silver awards presented to Eagle Scouts who earn 5, 10, 15 or more merit badges beyond the 21 required to become an Eagle Scout. Ralphie has also earned a total of 8 palms, 3 Bronze palms and 3 Gold palms and 2 silver palms.

Ralphie has participated in many campouts with his scout troop. In fact just 2 days after his Eagle Ceremony, along with his troop Ralphie headed to Rock Creek, OH for a week of summer camp. He has also been to Camp Merz many times, Camp Gross, Letchworth State Park and Camp Cutler in Naples, NY.

Ralphie is a ninth-grade honor student at Forestville Central School.