BY ANDREA HIRSCH
PITTSBORO
August 29, 2008 05:22 pm
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For an 18-year-old Tri-West High School senior, receiving Eagle Court of Honor earlier this month was a dream come true.
Patrick Hayden was awarded the honor in a ceremony at the Pittsboro Christian Church. At the Court of Honor, he was presented with his Eagle award and recognized by leaders in the scouting community, as well as fellow scouters for his leadership, dedication, and determination in advancing to the level of Eagle Scout.
“It’s the highest honor in the scouts and I feel relieved that I finally got it,” he said. “I thought I would get it eventually.”
To qualify as an Eagle Scout, Hayden fulfilled requirements for 29 badges, held positions of leadership in his troop, and completed his Eagle Scout project.
Patrick said he planned, organized, and implemented improvements to both Scott and Scamhorn parks in Pittsboro for his project. The improvements consisted of the placement of rubber edging around all playground equipment, the painting of the picnic shelter, and dry walling and installing a drop ceiling in a room of the community building in Scamahorn Park. Materials to help refurbish the parks were donated by Lowes Home Improvement and Sherwin-Williams of Brownsburg, as well as General Interiors of Indianapolis.
“I chose to do my project at the park because the park is something that will be there for a long time,” Hayden said. “When I pass by the park I can say, ‘Hey, look what I helped build.’”
With the help from his family and friends serving as volunteers in the project, Hayden was able to get it done in about three months.
“His Eagle mentors provided him with unending encouragement and support in his quest for the rank of Eagle,” said Anna Hayden, Patrick’s mother. “Patrick is a good kid who is very driven and has a good heart. I was thrilled that he made it. I have been hoping that he would get to that point and I am glad he did.”
Anna said when she was growing up she was in the Girl Scouts and enjoyed her experience. She was hoping her son would be involved in Boy Scouts so he would have a similar experience.
Patrick started in scouting in the first grade as a Cub Scout with Pack 309 and advanced to Boy Scout Troop 309 in 2002. He has held the leadership positions of troop guide, senior patrol leader, junior assistant scoutmaster, and is currently serving as assistant scoutmaster.
“When I started scouts I just wanted to have fun,” Patrick said. “I noticed people going out of their way to help me get the award and I thought I would achieve my goal as a way to show my appreciation.”
This summer Hayden assisted the younger scouts to help them on their badge requirements at Ransburg Scout Camp and worked on staff with White Stag, the National Youth Leadership Training for Boy Scouts, at Redwing Scout Camp. In June, he participated in a Sea Exploring Adventure on a tall ship at the Boy Scouts High Adventure Sea Base in Islamorada, Fla.
Hayden has been active with the Tri-West Marching Blue Alliance, which placed fourth in Class D at the ISSMA State Competition. He also has competed as a member of the Tri-West Academic Decathlon Team which was state runner up in the small school division. As a member of the decathlon team, he won a bronze medal in science at the state competition at Purdue University.
Hayden said he plans to continue to help the younger scouts by serving as an adult in the scouting program. He plans on studying science/physics and business administration at Purdue University or Butler University next fall.
andrea.hirsch@flyergroup.com
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