by Brian Turrel
Brett Nichols and Lewis Spangler, of Edwardsville, and Maxwell Schumaker, of Kansas City, Kan., received the Eagle Scout award at a ceremony at Trinity Community Church on Monday night. A crowd of parents, friends, and other Scouts attended the ceremony and reception that followed.
The Eagle Scout award is Boy Scouts’ highest award. It is given upon completion of extensive requirements of skills, service, and leadership, and takes dedicated work over a period of years.
As part of earning the award, each Scout planned and led a service project to benefit the community.
Brett Nichols led a project to improve the landscaping in the training area at Paws for Freedom, located in Tonganoxie, Kan. Paws for Freedom trains puppies to become service dogs to assist the disabled.
Lewis Spangler organized a campaign to collect toiletry supplies for Giving the Basics, an organization that provides assistance for children and families in need. Lewis’s campaign collected over seven thousand toiletry items.
Maxwell Schumaker led a team that repaired a retaining wall, planted flowers, and improved other landscaping at Trinity Community Church, Troop 5’s sponsoring organization.
Boy Scout Troop 5 meets at Trinity Community Church at 5010 Parallel Parkway, and is one of the oldest Scouting units in the Kansas City area.