STATE COLLEGE — Boy Scouts Eugene Ryoo, Hayden Davidson, Noah Witt, Troy Heatwole and Joe Messner, students at State College Area High School, have each achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
All five are members of Boy Scout Troop 31. They were formally presented their Eagle Scout awards at a Court of Honor ceremony held June 23 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, which is also the troop’s sponsoring organization.
All five began their scouting journey as Cub Scouts, participating in activities such as the Pinewood Derby, Klondike Derby, park cleanups, hiking and camping.
As a Boy Scout, Ryoo has served in various leadership positions, including troop guide, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, leave-no-trace instructor, senior patrol leader and troop instructor. He attended Camp Sabattis High Adventure in the Adirondacks and Florida Sea Base and was part of the 2017 National Jamboree at the Summit with Venture Crew 21.
For his Eagle project, Ryoo led a number of volunteers to rebuild old and worn-out tables and benches at Tusseyview Park. This effort involved 18 volunteers and resulted in 142 community service hours. On Nov. 19, he completed his board of review to become Troop 31’s 186th Eagle Scout.
At school, Ryoo has been active in Technology Student Association and was a rank leader in marching band. He played the alto saxophone and attended two adjudication trips as a member of the symphonic band. He also participated in the rock ensemble as a vocalist.
Davidson’s leadership positions with Troop 31 include patrol leader, troop guide, den chief, three terms as assistant senior patrol leader and junior assistant scoutmaster. He also completed the BSA National Youth Leadership training.
Davidson is a member of the Monaken Lodge 103 Order of the Arrow and has been active in BSA High Adventure, having participated in Northern Tier Canoe Base in Canada, Florida Sea Base in the Florida Keys and Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He also attended Camp Sabattis High Adventure.
For his Eagle project, Davidson provided leadership to design, gain approval, raise funds and construct a new outdoor patio for St. Paul’s United Methodist Church. This project involved 24 volunteer workers and more than 156 hours of service. On Dec. 17, Hayden completed his board of review to become Troop 31’s 188th Eagle Scout.
Having just completed his junior year at State College Area High School, Davidson is on the track and cross-country teams. He also is vice president of Future Business Leaders of America and a sector manager in the student-run Little Lion Investment Fund.
Witt’s leadership with Troop 31 has included serving as patrol leader, troop guide and assistant senior patrol leader. He is a member of the Monaken Lodge 103 Order of the Arrow and has participated in BSA High Adventure outings at Philmont Scout Ranch and Florida Sea Base. He also attended the 2013 National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia and spent seven days canoeing at Camp Sabattis.
For his Eagle project, Witt provided primary leadership in the design, construction and installation of trail signage at the Columbus Chapel and Boal Mansion Museum in Boalsburg. The project involved 15 volunteers and 114 hours of community service. He completed his board of review Dec. 22, becoming Troop 31’s 189th Eagle Scout.
Witt just completed his junior year at State College Area High School, where he is a captain on the swimming and diving team.
Heatwole’s leadership with Troop 31 has included serving as patrol leader, troop guide and assistant senior patrol leader, as well as the troop’s Order of the Arrow representative.
Heatwole participated in the BSA High Adventure programs as he attended Camp Sabattis, Florida Sea Base and Philmont Scout Ranch.
For his Eagle project, Heatwole designed and oversaw the construction of the expansion of the Grace Lutheran Church outdoor recycling and refuge area. The stone paver expansion allowed for an extra dumpster for cardboard recycling for the Meals on Wheels program, the church and the immediate community. This recycling expansion helped Grace Lutheran earn the Emerald Award from the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Center. Heatwole and his volunteers contributed 154 hours to this project, and on May 6, he completed his board of review to become Troop 31’s 190th Eagle Scout.
Heatwole will be a senior this fall at State College Area High School, where he is active in boys’ track and cross-country, jazz band, symphonic band, men’s choir and Tri-M Music Honor Society.
Messner has served in several leadership positions with Troop 31, including quartermaster, senior patrol leader and troop guide.
He completed the BSA National Youth Leadership training, and actively participated in BSA High Adventure programs, including Sea Base in the Florida Keys and Philmont Scout Ranch. His interest in adventure began with a 2014 trip to the Adirondacks.
Messner’s Eagle project was installing an irrigation system to raised garden beds located at Mount Nittany Elementary School. He and his team of 14 volunteers contributed 106 hours of community service on this project. On May 20, he completed his board of review to become Troop 31’s 191st Eagle Scout.
Messner just completed his junior year at State College Area High School, where he takes AP classes, is a student leader in IT entrepreneurship and excels in boys’ track and cross-country.
