Troop 68 welcomes seven new Eagle Scouts

Highland Park United Methodist Church chartered BSA Troop 68 graduated seven scouts to their Eagle rank Dec. 10, 2017. Reaching Eagle rank usually takes between five to nine years in a scout’s journey.

The Eagle scouts at this Court of Honor were:

William Houston Hall, the son of Kristi and Wallace Hall, attends St. Mark’s School of Texas. His Eagle project was to build and install a flight cage for the Rogers Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, which receives more than 5,000 rescue birds every year.  The flight cage was 12′ x 9′ x 7′ and was built for injured,   sick  and orphaned birds to live in until they are prepared to re-enter the wild.

Samuel Sanchez also attends St. Marks and is the son of Juan and Debbie Sanchez. Sammie’s project was to build two playhouses for the Mi Escuelita preschool.

Jake Yarckin, also a classmate at St. Marks, chose a three-bay composting bin for Sudie L. Williams Elementary School in Dallas for his Eagle project. Jake hoped that his project would enhance the school’s gardening program and enrich the student’s appreciation for the environment. Jake’s parents are Jeff and Liana Yarckin.

Miles Hubbard attends Highland Park High School and is supported by his proud parents, Pilar Bleakley and Mark and Allison Hubbard. Miles engineered and built sports equipment and toy boxes for various programming at Jubilee Park Community Center, a head Start Program in south Dallas. Miles hoped he and the other Scout volunteers would inspire the children with their example of hard work, dedication and kindness toward others.

Cameron Mason Poe, the son of Christopher and Cynthia Poe, attends Highland Park High School. Cameron’s Eagle project detailed the planning and construction of a life size chess and checkers game board and pieces for the City of Dallas Highland Hills Branch Library After School Program.

Owen Goldberg attends St. Marks School of Texas and is the son of Michael and Nancy Goldberg. Owen’s project entailed building a fence at Wesley-Rankin Community Center.

Landen Matthew Gwinn, the son of Stephen and Tina Gwinn, is the second son to achieve Eagle rank and the most recent in a line of Eagles in the family. Landen attends Highland Park High School and led other scouts on one of the hottest days of the year to build a 33′ x 7′ wood fence at Dog and Kitty City, a Humane Society of Dallas no kill shelter, which became necessary to protect the animals from harm.