June 8, 2007

Life with Purpose: Courtney, Kerr, Todd

By The Signal Staff

In what is often described as a crowning achievement in the lives of a few good men, three new Eagle Scouts received Scouting's highest rank as they celebrated their rite of passage with family, friends and fellow Boy Scouts in a joint Court of Honor. Nearly 150 attendees gathered at Hart Hall in Newhall on Sunday, March 25, to honor the trio and welcome Richard Courtney, Matthew Kerr and Robert Todd to the elite rank of Eagle Scout.

Perseverance, dedication and an unwavering commitment to the moral pillars of the Boy Scout law contributed to Courtney, Kerr and Todd's achievement. "Eagle Scouts exemplify hard work and strong character," stated John C. Cushman, III, president of the Boy Scouts of America in a letter. With the mastery of required skills and rank achievement, each scout demonstrated they had made the Scout Oath and Law part of their lives. "The Eagle rank is the beginning, not the end, of [each Scout's journey."

All three Eagle Scouts are graduates of Valencia High School and members of Boy Scout Troop 58 in Canyon Country. St. Clare Church on Calle Way serves as the troop's charter organization. Todd is a freshman at California State University, Fullerton majoring in musical performance. Courtney and Kerr attend College of the Canyons.

Courtney pursues transfer studies with a television production focus and Kerr is a business major with a focus on fire science.

Former Troop 58 scoutmaster Rein Schuerger served as master of ceremonies for the Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Scoutmaster Tim Terpening presented the rank of Eagle and assistant scoutmasters Tom Parker, Allen Dooley and Greg Cate offered the invocation, "Trail to Eagle" reading, and awards and honors presentation respectively. The honor guard was led by fellow Scouts Michael Morrisette, Sean Neff, Jeffrey Parker and Scott Peak.

Tim Knox, former scoutmaster, led the Eagle Scout segment with a reading of "100 Scouts." In a powerful and moving display of camaraderie, Jeff Carley, former Troop 58 committee chairman, invited all Eagle Scouts in attendance to the stage for the recitation of the Eagle Charge and Promise. Joining Courtney, Kerr and Todd were 12 fellow Eagle Scouts ranging in age from young high school students to adult leaders and a grandparent.

Presenting and standing up for Kerr and Todd was La Mesa Junior High band director Jeff Stephan, who discussed how both boys had displayed tremendous courage and leadership while under his tutelage. Valencia High School drama instructor Steve Whelan spoke about his former student Courtney, acknowledging his drive and interest in learning.

Courtney, Kerr and Todd each took the stage to express thanks and acknowledgment for those individuals who contributed to their success. Emotions surged as Kerr presented his grandfather, Gary Clinite, a retired Los Angeles city firefighter and fellow Eagle Scout, with an Eagle kerchief and slide. Seems that with the passage of time, only Clinite's memory of his days as a young Scout remained. That is until his grandson's gesture.

In addition to years of camping, backpacking and merit badge requirements, each Scout was required to plan, organize and complete a community service project that involved a minimum of 100 volunteer hours. Identifying an unmet need is the first step for any service project. Kerr planned and organized work crews to build a one-half mile length of fencing along the highway fronting Vasquez Rocks, creating a safety barrier for pedestrians from oncoming traffic. Spread over the course of several weekends, Kerr enlisted the help of fellow scouts and adults to complete the project.

Courtney turned his attention to the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society. Over the years, the nonprofit had accumulated a collection of videos and other multimedia formats capturing valuable pieces of Santa Clarita Valley history, but had no way for visitors to the local museum to view them. Courtney designed a video kiosk and, with the help of fellow scouts, built a wooden structure. Monetary and equipment donations of lumber, video and television equipment were secured to furnish the kiosk. Today, local students and visitors alike can view virtual tours of Old Town Newhall and other historical points of interest while visiting the Newhall train station in William S. Hart Park.

Todd worked with the County of Los Angeles Parks and Recreation Department to renovate Hart Park campground No. 1 and enhance the main entrance to all campgrounds. Campground No. 1, which is the largest and most popular of all Hart Park campsites, required repainting, minor repairs, and tree plantings. In addition, the original entrance to the campgrounds no longer met the park's needs and required removal.

Courtney and Kerr began their Scouting career together as Cub Scouts before transferring to Boy Scout Troop 58. Todd joined the troop after his years as a Cub Scout with Pack 494 at Pinetree Elementary School.

Along with the privilege of becoming an Eagle Scout befalls great responsibility and obligation for the trio of Eagles - responsibility to other Scouts, faith, family and community, as well as an obligation to seek broader horizons of service. Through Scouting, Courtney, Kerr and Todd are better prepared to guide their futures.