Local Scout Earns Highest Honors

Stephen Schappert was presented with his Eagle Scout Rank at his Court of Honor at the Neshanic Reformed Church on May 21, 2011. 

His achievement was celebrated by family, friends and the Boy Scouts and Assistant Scout Masters of Troop 1776.  Scoutmaster Gerry Scillitani was assisted with the presentation by Stephen's parents, Cathy and Robert Schappert. Congressman Leonard Lance, assisted with Stephen's presentation of the Parent Pins and Mentor pin to Mr. Bob Paley, Assistant Scout Master of Venture.

Congressman Lance spoke about the values instilled in our youth through the Boy Scouts of America and the leadership cultivated through the Boy Scouts.  He also spoke about the country's need for the development of leaders in youngest generations.  Congressman Lance presented Stephen with a Congressional Citation during the ceremony.

Stephen's Scouting career began as a Tiger Cub Scout in Pack 489 at Woods Road School.  Stephen progressed through the ranks of Bobcat, Wolf, Bear and Webelos, ultimately earning the Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouting in March of 2003.  Stephen moved up to Boy Scout Troop 1776 at that time, excited to pursue all of the outdoor opportunities the troop offered.

During Stephen's seven year tenure with Troop 1776, he backpacked over 322 miles, including 10 states of the Appalachian Trail.  In total, Stephen camped 95 nights and backpacked, biked and canoed 469 miles.  Some of his travels included venture trips to Moab Utah, the mountain biking capital of North America; canoeing the Green River in Utah,  whitewater rafting the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon, backpacking 70 miles through the Alpine Pass in Switzerland and backpacking 80 miles through Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico, where he summited Mount Baldy, the highest point in the San Gabriel Mountains.  Stephen also contributed over 70 hours of service time to Eagle Projects throughout the township.

To achieve the rank of Eagle, each scout must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, serve in a leadership position for 6 months and lead a service project to benefit the community.  Stephen selected a project to give back to the Somerset Valley YMCA, where he was a member of  the competitive swim team. His project was to build a weather-proof outdoor kiosk for posting bulletins and program information for members, camp families and the community.  The project was completed in June 2010 and took 167 hours to plan and construct.

Stephen is a 2010 graduate of Hillsborough High School, where he was a Varsity Swimmer and Varsity Volleyball Player. He also was a member of the NJ State Championship Somerset Valley YMCA Swim Team.  Stephen has just completed his freshman year at Lafayette College, majoring in Mechanical Engineering.  He is a member of the Varsity Swim Team there and has recently been named a Patriot League Scholar Athlete.

Submitted by Cathy Schappert