Local People

Last Updated on Thursday, 29 October 2015 23:01

By Paul Chasko

It isn’t every day that a Boy Scout Troop honors a fellow scout that is receiving the Eagle Scout award, but to bestow the honor on three scouts at the same time from the same troop is rare.

Troop 1452 BSA is sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church of Finleyville and is an extremely active scout troop. For over a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by fostering a program that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of citizenship and develops personal fitness. The three young men honored at this ceremony by earning BSA’s highest award demonstrate the culmination of their successful participation.

Lucas Alan Baldesberger is the son of Kerrie and Richard Baldesberger and is a member of Saint Francis of Assisi Church in Finleyville. He is a graduate of Ringgold High School Class of 2015. Lucas was a member of the Cub Scouts, became a Webelos Scout and earned the Arrow of Light Award. Lucas was received into Boy Scout Troop 1452 on March 29, 2008 and has been an active member ever since.

While a scout, Lucas completed the Iron Man Mile Swim, Polar Bear Swim and the National Youth Leadership Training. He served as Troop Guide, earned a total of 25 merit badges and was elected to the Order of the Arrow. Lucas spent over 63 nights camping out, hiked 24 miles, biked 280 miles, attended over 71 troop activities, participated in many fund-raisers and various community service activities totaling 104 hours.

Lucas’s Eagle project consisted of restoring the grounds of the Saint Francis of Assisi Cemetery. The work entailed removal of trees and brush that have grown throughout the cemetery. The debris was removed from the property and a new sign was added to make the cemetery easier to locate. With the help of family, friends and fellow scouts, the hours worked totaled 137. He completed this service project on November 11, 2013.

While in High School, Lucas was Co-Valedictorian of his class. He received the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, the Tribune Review Reward Outstanding Young Citizen’s Award, Ringgold Scholar Athlete Award, Ringgold Rams Award of Distinction, membership in the National Honor Society and listed in Who’s Who among American High School Students. Lucas participated in Football and Track, Gifted Education Program, Math League, Future is Mine Club, Ski Club, Relay for Life and worked two years as a ball boy for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He is currently employed at Crowe Contracting installing sprinkler systems. Lucas will attend the University of Akron and study Corrosive Engineering.

Daniel Farquhar is the son of Marlene and Jesse Farquhar. Daniel is a graduate of Ringgold High School Class of 2015 where he graduated with Honors Daniel has a sister Rebecca and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Monongahela. He was a member of the Cub Scouts, became a Webelos Scout and Earned the Arrow of Light award. Daniel was received into Boy Scout Troop 1452 on March 29, 2008 and has been an active member since.

To achieve the Eagle rank, Daniel served as Webmaster, Senior Patrol Leader and earned a total of 45 Merit Badges. Daniel spent over 97 nights camping out. Canoed 30 miles, hiked 63 miles, attended over 94 troop activities, participated in many fundraisers and various community service activities totaling 109 hours. While a Scout, Daniel completed the Polar Bear Swim and National Youth leadership Training. He also earned the World Conservation Award and the Forest Conservation Award. He was elected into the Order of the Arrow in 2012 and completed the Order of the Arrow Brotherhood Requirements in 2013.

Daniel’s Eagle Project consisted of adding a roof over the rear entrance of the First Presbyterian Church of Finleyville. The work entailed adding a new roof and lighting over the landing at the rear entrance to the church. Spot lighting was added to illuminate the steps and street and the concrete landing was repaired. With the help of family and other scouts, the project was completed expending 100 hours.

While in High School Daniel received the Ringgold Scholar Athlete Award, the President’s Award for Educational Excellence, membership in the National Honor Society and is listed in Who’s Who of among America’s High School Students. Daniel participated in Cross Country, Track, Spanish Club, Comic Book Club and Students against Drunk Drivers. He is currently employed as an intern in the Washington County Court Automation I.T. Department. Daniel will attend the University of Pennsylvania studying Computer Engineering.

Jonathan Terrence Simmons is the son of Kimberly and Terrence Simmons and is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Finleyville He has a brother Matthew and sisters Sarah and Jessica. He is a graduate of Ringgold High School Class of 2015 where he graduated with Honors.

Jonathon joined the Cub Scouts, became a Webelos Scout and earned the Arrow of Light Award. Jonathan was received into Boy Scout Troop 1452 in 2008 and has been an active member since. To achieve Eagle rank Jonathan served as Senior Patrol Leader and earned a total of 35 merit badges. Jonathan spent 99 hours camping out, hiked 12 miles, biked 240 miles, attended over 94 troop activities, participated in many fundraisers and various community service activities totaling 95 hours. While a scout, Jonathan completed the National Youth Leadership Training. He was accepted into the Order of the Arrow and completed the Order Brotherhood requirements in 2012.

Jonathan’s Eagle project consisted of remodeling the hallway between the First Presbyterian Church of Finleyville and their Education Building. The work entailed cleaning the walls on level one and two and the stairwell followed by prepping and painting all walls. Touch-up painting was also necessary in several other areas. Brass kick plates and hinges had old paint removed. The carpet on level one was removed and replaced. With the help of family and fellow scouts and about 80 hours of work, the project was completed in October of 2014.

While at Ringgold, he lettered 2 years in baseball and 4 years in swimming. He participated in WPIAL diving events – 3 years, 1 year in swimming and one year to the state finals in diving. He was a member of the Relay for Life. He is employed part time at Vocelli Pizza. Jonathan will attend Slippery Rock University Of Pennsylvania, studying Physical Therapy and Biology.

The Eagle award ceremony for these three young men was attended by parents, relatives, friends and well-wishers. Congratulatory certificates from various local and state officials were on display at the ceremony.