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CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. — St. Nicholas parishioner Peter Swanney was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at his troop’s court of honor July 21. Eagle Scout is the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America, which is achieved only by 4 percent of Scouts.
The process takes several years and involves passing through the various ranks, earning at least 21 merit badges, of which 13 are required for Eagle.
Since Swanney has a total of 42 merit badges, which is at least 15 merit badges beyond the 21 for Eagle, he also earned Bronze, Gold, and Silver Palms to wear on his Eagle Medal in recognition of this extra achievement.
In addition to the merit badges, the Scout must serve in various leadership positions within the troop. Finally, while a Life Scout, which is the rank just below Eagle, the Scout must be pre-approved for, then plan, develop, and give leadership to others in an Eagle Service Project, helpful to any religious institution, school or community.
Swanney carried out his Eagle project in Cummingston Park in Royal Oak, working closely with the Royal Oak Nature Society. The park was deemed a major area of development. The nature society wanted to create an ancient meadow in a densely overgrow area, but it was not able to make it happen on its own.
Swanney led a group of Scouts and volunteers in clearing a massive amount of grapevine and invasive plants. They then turned the plant matter into animal habitats in the forest. At the end of the project, there were more than a dozen of these animal habitats, which were more than five feet tall and six feet in diameter.
Swanney also built and set up blue bird houses for the meadow area. Lastly, he created and installed stamped aluminum tree markers for the forest. The Nature Society was very pleased with his work and leadership. They were looking forward to the meadow growing and to hosting future educational nature walks. The meadow will give them a habitat for long-lost plants, animals, and bird species that have become scarce in the area.
Caption: New Eagle Scout Peter Swanney poses with three of his four Eagle Scout uncles. (L. to r.): Michael Nagrant, Peter Swanney, Nikolaj Nagrant, and George Nagrant; not pictured, Father Andrew Nagrant. (Photo courtesy of St. Nicholas Parish)
As published in Horizons, Dec. 2, 2018.
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