First Court of Honor for Monrovia Troop 66

“On my honor, I will do my best. To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.”

6 Boy Scouts of Monrovia Troop 66 recited the Boy Scout oath and Law together on January 22nd, 2018 where 11 Rank advancements, 16 merit badges and 12 awards gave Monrovia Boy Scout Troop 66 a lot of reasons to celebrate at their first Court of Honor held at Vineyard Church of Monrovia. Monrovia Troop 66 was founded September 13th, 2017 and chartered by the American Legion Monrovia Post 44. Retired Judge Michael Haubner presides over Monrovia’s newest troop as the Chartered Organization Representative for Monrovia Post 44.

The evening began with an invocation by Pastor Aaron Schmidt, followed by the opening speech by Scout Master Mark Peters. Advancement Chairwoman & Assistant Scout Master Andrea Arias spoke about how hard the Scouts have worked, the achievements they earned and what the Scouts will be working on in the upcoming months. Assistant Scout Master Ranger Anthony Villalobos presided over the rank advancements and spoke about each Scout and their accomplishments. Many of the Scouts earned multiple ranks for this Court of Honor. First Class Scout Austin Arias focused on recognizing hard work that led to significant accomplishments as well as awarding hard earned merit badges to members of the Leviathan Patrol where Austin is the Senior Patrol Leader.

Merit badges earned were Archery, First Aid, Landscape Architecture, Game Design, Plumbing, Graphic Arts, Pulp & Paper, and Welding.

Andrew Potter, David Potter, Austin Arias, and Nathan Juarez were awarded the Scout rank. This is the first rank in Boy Scouts. The rank advancement requirements for Scout were significantly increased last year. The boys presented their family members their first parent pin representing the first rank advancement.

Tenderfoot rank was earned by Adrian Guerrero, Nathan Juarez, Degas Peters, and Austin Arias. They mastered numerous skills including preparing and cooking meals on campouts, first aid techniques, safe hiking rules and intricate knot-tying. Each Scout was also required to service their community in a project of their choosing.

Austin Arias and Degas Peters were promoted to the rank of Second Class. They continue to learn about and develop their Scout spirit, including expanding their efforts to be trustworthy and helpful and to live up to the points in the Scout Law.

Austin Arias was advanced to First Class Scout rank. First Class is the more advanced of the lowest 4 ranks which includes camping, citizenship, cooking, first aid, internet safety, nature, orienteering, pioneering, and swimming & lifesaving.

Leadership training was a major focus since September 2017, as the Scouts were preparing for new Scouts come February 2018. Degas Peters & Austin Arias completed an intensive 2 day course called Cedar Badge where each scout is exposed to unit operations, how to plan campouts, campfires, Scout’s Own services, how to lead songs, and make your boy-run program operate more smoothly. Nathan Juarez, Degas Peters and Austin Arias attended Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops where they focus on learning the leadership positions within their patrol and how to most effectively reach success in that role. Not only did these scouts learn about leadership they also spent an intensive 3 day weekend becoming certified in CPR, AED, First Aid and were able to complete the First Aid merit badge.

For more information about Monrovia Troop 66, readers may contact Scout Master Mark Peters at 626-485-1032 or MonroviaTroop66@gmail.com.