Savko earns Eagle Scout rank
Justin Maxwell Savko of Boy Scout Troop 23 was recognized for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout in a Court of Honor ceremony held at the Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church.
The final hurdle in the quest for this highest rank for Boy Scouting is a community service challenge, titled “Eagle Project.” The candidate for Eagle must be in charge of all aspects of the project. The tasks include planning, financing, implementation, completion and final presentation of the completed project to a committee of Boy Scout leaders.
Savko’s project benefitted the Hope Hollow Land Trust on the Montour Trail.
The project consisted of designing, constructing and erecting an informational trail kiosk on the property for cyclists to lock up their bikes. This was installed at an access trail from the Montour Trail to the newly built bridge connecting to the trail.
Additionally, an existing trail sign was also removed and relocated along the trail. The second part of the project involved building and installing a bike rack on the trail side of the bridge.
Russ Spicuzza, Elk Scouting Representative, of South Hills BPOE Lodge 2213 in Bethel Park, gave a short talk and presented the new Eagle Scout with two framed Certificates of Merit, one each from the local and national Elks Lodge, which is located in Chicago.
Spicuzza read a personal letter from the Grand Exalted Ruler, Bruce A. Hadley, congratulating Savko on his accomplishment. He also presented Savko with a personal sized American flag and a small gold lapel pin, which represents 80-plus years of the relationship between the Elks and Scouting.