Apex Scout Michael Schwab recently earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout.
Michael is a graduate of Cardinal Gibbons High School and is the son of Scott and Cheryl Schwab. He is the grandson of Ken and Janice Schwab of Cary and of Robert and Emmie Renard of Crivitz, WI.
Michael recently returned from a six month community service program in Costa Rica at the Universidad National de Costa Rica. Besides helping with English lessons, he was also involved in an outdoor conservation program at the Universidad. Michael will attend Landmark College in Vermont this month and study International Business.
Eagle Scout Hunter Smith, Master of Ceremonies, welcomed everyone on behalf of the troop’s scouts and leaders. Current and past scoutmasters shared exciting and embarrassing stories about Michael’s 12 years in Scouting. All the stories showed that Michael was able to balance sports with Scouts, how athletic he was and how much he enjoyed having fun while in scouts.
Mr. Frank Jackson, Troop Committee member and also an Eagle Scout, presented the Eagle Charge to Michael in front of seven other Eagle Scouts in attendance. Jackson’s comments summed up Michael’s qualities, “standing at the summit of scouting…..worthy of Eagle rank….has an obligation to mankind…live the honor and loyalty of being an Eagle Scout.”
Scoutmaster Dwight Jones presided over the formal presentation of the Eagle ceremony. Michael pinned the mother and father pins on his parents, and Michael’s mother pinned on his Eagle Medal. The Eagle Medal packages are supplied by the Cary-Apex Elks Lodge No. 2798. Past District Deputy Andy Marias presented Michael an Elk’s Certificate and an American Flag. Marias called Michael an “outstanding citizen.” Lt. Col. (ret) Ed Walsh presented Michael a gift from the St Andrew Mens’ Society, the troop’s Charter organization.
Michael has been involved in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts since 2000. He was a member of Cub Scout Pack 224 in Apex where he earned the Arrow of Light Award. Since joining Boy Scouts in 2005 Michael has been a member of Troop 316 and Venture Crew 316 in Cary. He was a member of Troop 1 in Hong Kong for one year.
He earned 33 merit badges and participated in countless number of community projects and camp outs. He has held numerous positions of responsibility in the troop—Patrol Leader, Quartermaster and Instructor. He attended Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and Sea Base High Adventure Camp in the Florida Keys.
A book of over 40 congratulatory letters, certificates, and autographed pictures from former and current U.S. Presidents, senior federal, state and local government officials, along with several general officers were presented to Michael. Senator Richard Burr sent a flag that was flown over the US Capitol and as the flag was presented to Michael he heard of the tale of “Old Glory.”
Michael’s Eagle project was to design and build three benches that function as an outdoor classroom for the science department at St. Thomas More Catholic School in Chapel Hill. The department is making a wetland ecosystem in a retention pond that is located on the school property. As part of the curriculum, the students will spend time planting and studying the wetland environment. The benches built will allow the students to sit near the wetland pond and observe the pond.
The troop meets at St Andrew Catholic Church fellowship hall at 7:00 p.m. every Tuesday. Anyone interested in joining Troop 316 should contact Scoutmaster Dwight Jones at 919-387-8061 or Kurt Carlsen, committee chairman, at 919-741-0074. Please visit the troop’s website for additional information http://t316apex.org/home.
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