Jack C. E. Catchpole earned his Eagle Scout while a member of Troop 1629 and was recognized at the September Board of Education meeting. Only about two percent of boys who enter scouting ever obtain their Eagle Rank.
Jack started in the Scouting program by participating in Cub Scout Pack 1628 for 5 years and then as a member of Troop 1629 for 6 years. In order to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Jack had to earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, complete an Eagle Scout project and pass an Eagle Scout Board of Review. Jack's Eagle Scout project was to provide some upgrades to the Upton Elementary School ball field by installing benches and adding a sign to welcome people to the Upton field.
The final step of earning the Eagle Scout Rank is to pass an Eagle Scout Board of Review which involves reviewing the accomplishments of the Scout, determining whether or not the Eagle Scout project allowed the candidate to demonstrate leadership, a review of reference letters in support of the candidate and an interview with the candidate to determine if the Scout attitude towards Scouting's ideals. This is done in front of people that Jack may have met for the first time. This is also the group that announces that Jack has earned his Eagle Scout rank. Jack had a wide grin on his face and was quite pleased with himself as he earned the Eagle Scout rank just like his brothers Kyle and Luke, and just like his dad had done before him.
Jack's parents are proud of how he developed while working on this Scout project, learning how to ask people to help him during the project, demonstrating leadership during the project execution, and being able to listen, reflect and then answer questions that are posed from people that he may not know.
SECOND EAGLE SCOUT IN OUR RANKS
Connor Zavislak, who has been a member of Troop 1629 in Royal Oak for the past 7 years, has also recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Connor was not able to attend the meeting but was given a "shout out" for his success.
His Eagle Service Project also consisted of rebuilding the ball field at Upton Elementary School, which included tilling the field, delivering and spreading gravel, and leveling the field. This project benefited all the students at the school, along with the entire neighborhood. He earned 25 merit badges during his years as a Scout. Connor graduated in June 2021 and is studying business engineering management at Michigan Tech.
His mother shared with us how proud she is of Connor, stating that he worked through floods working on the field with 50 tons of dirt that had to be wheelbarrowed to the pit to work on it. "Even the BSA Board Leader stated most people come to us with a box and you did an insurmountable act," said Angela Zavislak.
