West Seattle Scouts at Eagle Banquet/Centennial Celebration

(At left, Chad Lehman of West Seattle’s Troop 282, getting Matt Hasselbeck’s autograph)
Rick Lehman shared the photo and the following report on the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts of America‘s Eagle Banquet and Centennial Celebration held last weekend at Hyatt Regency Bellevue:

This prestigious and historic event was held in honor of the 2009-2010 Boy Scouts who attained Scouting’s highest rank and celebrating the 100 anniversary of Boy Scouting in America. Every Eagle scout in attendance was sponsored and paired up with a business person in the community who shared common interests with the scout.

The event hosted almost 200 new eagle scouts in the Seattle Area. To be an Eagle (the 6th and highest rank) a scout had to earn 21 separate Merit Badges, hold numerous leadership positions, be active in his troop and attend numerous outings and high adventures. He also had to do a major community service project where he had to conduct a feasibility study, plan, secure funding, purchase materials and schedule manpower support to help complete the project (many times involving well over 100 hours of service).

Scouts from West Seattle included Chad Lehman, Michael Cross and Kirk Wetzel of Troop 282. Representing Troop 284 were Kyle Edwards, Sam Guzzardo, Ryan Jacobs, Mathew Russell and Mark Viger.

Big-name entrepreneurs who also had been Eagle Scouts were on hand too – Rick’s report continues after the jump:

Many numerous community leaders (who themselves were Eagle Scouts) were in attendance, including Brad Tilden, President of Alaska Airlines, Inc.; Jeff Pinneo, President & CEO of Horizon Air; Glenn Johnson, (EVP & CFO of Alaska Air); and Phil Smart Sr.

The event was a sit down dinner, with video presentations, special awards and recognitions of every new Eagle Scout.

Jeff Renner, KING 5 Television’s Chief Meteorologist, was the Master of Ceremonies; Matt Hasselbeck; the Seattle Seahawks’ main quarterback, was the Keynote Speaker.

After the event, Matt Hasselbeck stayed around and signed autographs. As a proud parent in attendance, it was a very special night and a fitting way to celebrate scouting’s 100th birthday.

-Rick Lehman

1 Reply to "West Seattle Scouts at Eagle Banquet/Centennial Celebration"

  • Jim May 21, 2010 (9:53 am)

    I enjoyed Jeff Renner as he singled out all those scouts who gave their parents gray hairs waiting to the last minute to make eagle before they age out (Kyle included). And Matt Hasselbeck is a great story teller. It was a fun night! Thanks for the write up.

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