Troop 77 awards seven boys Eagle Scout rank

Troop 77 Scouts, from left: David Conrad, Aswin Bikkani, Jackson Routhier, Timothy Stone, Matthew Premen, Robert Slater and Ian Dzurik (not pictured) were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout last December.

On Dec. 15, 2013, Troop 77 of St. Ladislas Church in Westlake, led by Scoutmaster Thomas Routhier, held an Eagle Court of Honor to award the rank of Eagle Scout to seven of its members. Rarely are so many boys from one troop awarded this prestigious rank at once; however, it has been an active year for Troop 77. 

Aswin Bikkani, a junior at Westlake High School, improved a trail at the Cleveland Metroparks Bradley Woods Reservation.

David Conrad, a sophomore at St.Edward High School, designed and constructed a stone fire ring and renovated the fire pit area at the St. Leonard Retreat House in Avon.

Ian Dzurik, a freshman at Kent State, renovated a playground in the Christmas Estates in North Olmsted.

Matthew Premen, a junior at Westlake High School, collected and assembled toiletry packets for the West Side Catholic Center of Cleveland for the homeless and needy. He also collected kitchen cookware for the battered women’s shelter.

Jackson Routhier, a sophomore at Westlake High School, constructed two picnic tables, a raised vegetable garden bed and a lawn swing for the Rose-Mary Center group home in Bay Village, which houses intellectually-disabled children. He also weeded, mulched, planted bulbs and seasonal flowers in all flower beds, and removed unwanted yard items.

Robert Slater, a senior at Westlake High School, designed and constructed a stone fire ring at the Cleveland Metroparks Bradley Woods Reservation. The fire ring will be used by youth groups which camp at the park and other public groups that use the shelter.

Timothy Stone, a sophomore at Westlake High School, constructed outdoor Stations of the Cross at the south side of the parking lot at St. Ladislas Church. Additionally, he planted bulbs in the flower box at the base of each station.

Scott Gregory served as master of ceremonies, and Admiral Mike Parks, USCG (retired) was the guest speaker. Additional dignitaries in attendance who made special presentations to the Eagle Scouts included: Westlake Mayor Dennis Clough, State Representative Nan Baker and State Senator Tom Patton.