Three Boy Scouts advance to highest rank at Eagle Court of Honor

WARWICK — On Saturday, Dec. 15, Warwick's Boy Scouts of America Troop 45 advanced three more of its members to the rank of Eagle, raising the troop's total of Eagle Scouts to 117 since it was first organized in 1960.
The statistics are remarkable because less than four percent of all scouts attain this rank, the highest one awarded in scouting.
Troop 45 presented the awards at an "Eagle Court of Honor" for Eli Curran, the son of Mark and Joy Curran; Julius Radakovits, the son of Stephen and Michele Radakovits; and Benjamin Tate, the son of Tim Tate and Kathryn Alicia.
The event was held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, which sponsors Troop 45.
State, county, town and village officials along with representatives of many local organizations were among those attending the Eagle Court.
To achieve the Eagle Rank, the scouts were required to complete a minimum of 21 Merit Badges, have leadership roles in and outside of the troop and participate in community service.
Each candidate must also complete a major community service project as the last requirement before attaining the Eagle rank.

Eli CurranEli Curran's service project entailed restoring the Amity Cemetery, with plots dating back to the early 1700s.
"Throughout the journey," he said, "I was able to come across a few individuals who had passed family members interred within the cemetery and it was very rewarding to be in a position to present these individuals with the proper conditions for their interred loved ones."
Julius RadakovitsJulius Radakovits' project consisted of removing downed brush and trees from behind the outdoor Stations of the Cross at the Church of St. Stephen, the First Martyr.
"When I first joined the Boy Scouts," he said, "I wanted to become an Eagle Scout and I knew I wanted my project to be something to give back to the church and school, which I grew up in."
Benjamin TateBenjamin Tate's project was a series of four self-guided walking tour maps of the Village of Warwick for the Warwick Historical Society. The maps include historical sites and other points of interest.
"My project," he said, "helped me to step out of my comfort zone by giving me opportunities to lead others. I appreciate the great help I received from 28 people including scouts, scout leaders and adult volunteers."
- Roger Gavan