Christopher J. Holtsnider of Milford presented with his Eagle Scout Rank by the Boy Scouts of America

Christopher J. Holtsnider of Milford was presented with his Eagle Scout Rank by the Boy Scouts of America at a Court of Honor ceremony held at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ Church in Milford on March 13, 2011.  As the Boy Scouts organization begins its second century in America, the Eagle Scout award continues to be a rare achievement for any young man, as less than two out of every one hundred boys who join Scouting will receive its highest award.  Christopher is the one-hundred seventh Boy Scout from Troop 2 Milford to receive the Eagle badge.

Receipt of the Eagle Scout award represents many years of dedicated effort, and the successful completion of a long process that requires demonstration of how people, working together, can truly help mold a young man with a solid sense of leadership, citizenship, and responsibility.  Eagle Scout candidates must be active in their Boy Scout troops, hold multiple leadership positions, and demonstrate Scout spirit by living according to the Scout Oath and Scout Law in everyday life.  Scouts must earn a total of twenty-one merit badges, including badges on first aid, citizenship in the community, nation, and world, personal fitness, personal financial management, camping, emergency preparedness, and environmental science.

 Christopher's Project

 The capstone of the Eagle Scout Rank is the Eagle Scout project, where the Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to a religious institution, school, or community.  The project idea must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, the Scout's troop, and the Scouting district council prior to beginning the or district before you start.  Following the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, the Eagle Scout candidate must also raise funds, solicit donations, recruit volunteers, and document costs and labor to complete his project.  The Eagle Scout candidate must then appear before a Board of Review to report on his project and the meaning of Scouting in his life before he can receive his Eagle Scout award.

 For his Eagle project, Christopher coordinated the Milford Youth Center’s efforts to refurbish a set of World War II-era solid oak desk chairs that had fallen into disrepair.  Christopher led a team of volunteers in the repair and restoration of twenty of the historic chairs.

Christopher's Eagle Scout Court of Honor

Christopher's Eagle Scout Court of Honor opened with welcoming remarks from Troop 2 Scoutmaster Jack Armata, who also served as the Master of Ceremonies.  Troop 2's Senior Patrol Leader John Fitzgerald led Troop 2 Scouts in presentation of the colors of the United States and Troop 2 Milford.  Members of Troop 2 led by Senior Patrol Leader John Fitzgerald presented the Trail to Eagle, describing the requirements of each rank from Scout Rank to Life Scout which each boy must achieve in order to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.  Eagle Scout Christopher Pittsley read the Voice of the Eagle, a ceremonial reading that describes the effort and work that any Scout wishing to become an Eagle Scout must endure on the trail to becoming an Eagle Scout.  The Eagle Scout Challenge, which expressly announces the responsibilities that an Eagle Scout accepts with his new Rank, was read by Christopher’s brother and Life Scout Stephen Holtsnider.

Ray Hirx, representative of the Knox Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America, formally declared the Eagle Scout Court of Honor officially convened.

Mr. Armata requested that Christopher’s uncle Joseph Lawler escort Christopher to the podium.  Several current Eagle Scouts then joined Christopher at the podium as a sign of support for his candidacy.  Following recitation of the Eagle Scout Oath by the candidate and delivery of the Eagle Scout Charge by Life Scout Ian Michelson, Christopher J. Holtsnider was declared to be an Eagle Scout.

Troop 2 Troopmaster Jack Armada presented Christopher with the Eagle Scout badge and neckerchief.  Christopher then presented a mother’s pin to his mother Patricia Holtsnider and a father’s pin to his father Timothy Holtsnider.

New Eagle Scout Christopher then addressed the audience regarding his most fond memories of his Scouting career and how Scouting and the leaders present helped him to mature and grow over the years.  Christopher recognized and thanked the leaders of Cub Scout Pack 4 of Milford, including his Assistant Den Leader father for making Cub Scouts a fantastic experience for him for four years.  Christopher recounted some of his experiences in camping, hiking, and community service over his six years as a member of the Troop.

State Representative John Fernandes of Milford presented Christopher with a Resolution from the state House of Representative congratulating him for achieving his Eagle Rank.  Ray Hirx returned to the podium to present a Letter of Recognition to Christopher from the Knox Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America of his attainment of the rank of Eagle Scout.

Troopmaster Armata imparted those present with the final Scoutmaster's Minute of Christopher's Scouting career, including having Christopher sign the “Round Tuit” for completing his Eagle Scout requirements within six months of his eighteenth birthday.  Ray Hirx, representative of the Knox Trail Council of the Boy Scouts of America, formally declared the Eagle Scout Court of Honor officially closed.  After the Scouts lead the audience in a performance of Scout vespers, a reception followed in the Chapel Room of the church.

Christopher's Personal Information

Christopher is the son of Patricia and Timothy Holtsnider of Milford and has been a member of Troop 2 for six years, during which time he has served the Troop in several capacities, including as Senior Patrol Leader, the highest leadership position that a Scout may attain in his Troop.  Christopher attended his Board of Review on September 20, 2010, where he was recommended for the rank of Eagle Scout by the Eagle Review Board of the Knox Trail Council.  Christopher is the 107^th Eagle Scout of Troop 2 Milford.  He is also a member of the Order of the Arrow, Chippanyonk Lodge #59.

Christopher will graduated from Milford High School in 2011.  An honor roll student, he also plays guitar in his history teacher’s “Joe B. Band”, is a member of the debate team and the mock trial club, and is a three sport varsity letter athlete.        

Troop 2 Milford

Boy Scout Troop 2 Milford has been sponsored since its inception in 1927 by the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church on East Main in Milford.  The Troop meets one evening each week during the regular school/Scout year in the Club Room of Milford Catholic Elementary School.