Eagle Scout Award for Nathan Marek

Eagle Scout Award for Nathan Marek

Nathan Harper Marek completed his Eagle Board of Review and will receive the award at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor in November. Nathan is the son of Sara and Don Marek of Pleasanton, California. He is a member of Troop 948 sponsored by GraceWay Church. Thanks go to his Scoutmaster, Louis Fong for his dedication to Scouting and help along the way.

Nathan has been active in Scouting and has held the positions of Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader for Summer Camp at Cherry Valley, Catalina Island. Nathan says about scouting, “The part of scouting that I like most are the opportunities to challenge oneself and those around you. High Adventure trips like Philmont, Northern tier, and Sea Base challenged me in ways that no other organization could have, making me a stronger person and a better leader. I feel so well-prepared to contribute to the community as I begin my college career.”

His Eagle Scout project consisted of constructing new planter boxes for kindergarten students at Donlon Elementary School in Pleasanton.

His Eagle Scout project consisted of constructing new planter boxes for kindergarten students at Donlon Elementary School in Pleasanton. Over 10 helpers came from scouting, AVHS Leadership Team and the AVHS wrestling team, and the project took over 200 hours to complete. The project beneficiary, kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Jen Heid, was extremely pleased to have new planter boxes to replace the old, failing box from 10 years ago. The planters are used as a key part of her curriculum to teach the students about plants (specifically carrots), nutrition and as a measure of the students’ first 100 days in kindergarten. Mrs. Heid and the students have already begun growing strawberries in the planters.

Nathan recently graduated from Amador Valley High School with the class of 2026 and will be attending the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, this fall. His interests include pickleball, wrestling, business and fly fishing. He was a 4-year varsity wrestler, placing 4^th and 3^rd in NCS, first team all-EBAL with 100+ varsity wins, the most wins in Amador Valley History.

He was involved as ASB Secretary, serving students by planning events, taking detailed notes and ensuring good communication between faculty and students. He was a Mr. Amador Director and participant, individually raising $40,000 for the George Mark Children’s House as a Mr. Amadorco-winner, helping to raise fundraising records of over $210,000 over two years. At UNC, he will study business finance, with plans to go into high finance after earning a bachelor’s degree.

To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout must be active in their troop, provide leadership, earn 21 merit badges including the areas of citizenship, camping, communications, cooking and lifesaving or emergency preparedness as well as demonstrate that they live by the principles of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. They must also plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project benefiting a religious institution, school, or community group.

Anyone interested in joining any level of Scouting can contact the GGAC Field Services Director Joe Barton at joe.barton@scouting.org.