×

Scout Me In

Anne Herriage recognizes Jeremy Jacobs, left, with the 2020 District Award of Merit Thursday for promotion of Scouting and dedicated attendance of events and training.

CALDWELL — Scouts, their leaders and the many volunteers who have supported local youth in the last year were celebrated recently in a dinner and awards ceremony for the Muskingum Valley Council and River Trails District.

“We’re all doing this for our kids; this belongs to everybody,” said Jeremy Jacobs, of Sarashville, after being recognized with the 2020 District Award of Merit.

Jacobs was noted for dedication to council and district-level commitment in training and for dedicated attendance at “every Scouting function,” including meetings, outings, campouts and summer camp.

The group recognized not only each Eagle Scout to complete the highest achievement in the national Scouting program, but also recognized three Scouts who have gone above and beyond in their service to community.

Chloe McElfresh, 21, of Cambridge, was recognized for her commitment to service.

Leaders and Scouts of the River Trails District of the Muskingum Valley Council for Boy Scouts of America bow their heads in prayer Thursday before an annual recognition dinner and awards ceremony in Caldwell.

She explained that Scouting alongside the boys has been a lifetime involvement culminating in recognition for the 2020 River Trails Venturing Summit Award.

“My uncles, my grandfather, they were always Scouting, so I was always around it,” she explained.

Then, she had her chance to be among the first rounds of young women to enter the programming through Venture Crew.

“I was 14, did it for seven years,” she said.

Eagle Scout Matthew Rauch, 18, of Marietta, also saw top recognition across the region, with Jared Smith, of Marietta, explaining Rauch’s final project as one that not only took planning and effort, but continues to serve in a meaningful way.

Photos by Janelle Patterson Jared Smith, left, asks Eagle Scout Matthew Rauch, 18, of Marietta, to explain his project benefiting Ewing School in Marietta at Thursday’s recognition dinner in Caldwell.

“At Ewing School (in Marietta), he did a sensory garden for those who are handicapped or disabled,” described Smith. “If they’re having those moments in class where they’re really frustrated and upset, they can go outside and, well, do you want to explain a little bit about the project?”

Rauch said one of the things he built is a large-scale xylophone out of PVC pipe that can be played with flip-flops.

“It makes music and there are three instruments that are handicap-accessible,” Rauch continued.

But those few humble words were added to, by Smith.

“The school has written to us and … explained to us how they’re being used,” Smith said. “When these children come out and they’re so frustrated and just need to step away, they can use these xylophones that they made to really help calm them down and get them refocused so that they can rejoin class and continue their learning experience. So it’s a tremendous project.”

Rauch and Adam Coil were co-awarded the 2020 River Trails District Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year.

Coil’s project, building batting cages for children, teens and adults to use in Indian Acres Park, will be featured in a future edition of the Times.

Smith was also recognized by the council for dedication to training and service with the Scouter’s Training Award.

Additional Eagle Scouts recognized included Ethan McIntyre, Noah Cowgill, Kenneth Hughey, Gage Gerst, Anthony Blankenship, Eian Watson, Carson Urban, John Coleman, John Wharff, Deaven Francis and Nicholas Earley.

Additional recognitions Thursday included:

Friends of Scouting: Greg Gentry and Associates.

Cub Scout Adult Rookies of the Year: Tom and Kelly Byrne, of Vincent.

Scouting BSA Adult Rookies of the year: Mike Leasure and David Bauerbach.

Old Timer’s Steppingstone Award: Shawn Harris.

Extra Miler Award: Kelly Faires, Roger and Betsy Akeman, Ashley Steele, Amber Hammonds, Kendra Balsley, William Mason, Savannah Perry.

Whispering Oak Award: Traci Saffell and Janelle Patterson.

Foundation Stone Award: Bob Sheridan and Heidi Leasure.

Cubmaster of the Year: Daryl Van Dyne.

Scoutmaster of the Year: Joe Starkey.

The council also bid adieu to Amanda Schaedig, who served as the senior district executive from June 2015 until May 2020.

In her place, Anne Herriage was introduced as the Muskingum Valley Council’s new scout executive, based in Zanesville.

Janelle Patterson may be reached at jpatterson@mariettatimes.com

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

Starting at $4.15/week.

Subscribe Today