Two from Troop 82 are awarded Eagle status

Double eagle ceremony celebrates accomplishments Sparta — Long time friends, neighbors and Scouters, Samuel J. Parker and Thomas Corbett were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at an Eagle Court of Honor held recently at the First Presbyterian Church of Sparta. Both young men are active members of Boy Scout Troop 82, of Sparta which is chartered by the First Presbyterian Church. Sam and Tom have been on many Scouting adventures and hiked over 200 miles with the troop. Some of these adventures include Philmont Scout Reservation in New Mexico, Sea Base in the Florida Keys and Yawgoog Scout Camp in Rhode Island for several summers. Both young men have hiked the Appalachian Trail border to border through New Jersey from Pennsylvania to New York, (76 miles in 6 days, in 2010) and also in Shenandoah National Park. Sam Parker For Sam’s Eagle Scout project he restored a bridge over a stream at the Father John’s Lane Animal Shelter. This allows dog walkers a shorter walk to an adjacent field were the dogs can play. Sam is a 2011 graduate of Sparta High School. He was this year’s Senior Class President and delivered the commencement address. During high school he was active in the marching band, and was co-captain of the swim team this past winter. Another highlight of his senior year was acting in the musical in which he was Daddy Warbucks in “Annie.” In the fall Sam will continue his learning and activities at the University of Alabama. Tom Corbett For his Eagle Project, Tom planned and led his fellow scouts and friends in cleaning and repairing a drainage stream and installing a catch basin lined with stone at Toboggan Beach in Lake Mohawk. A bridge was installed allowing people to cross over the stream. The project required over 108 hours of hard work on very hot days. Tom was a 3-year member of the marching band drum line and played in Freshmen Symphonic, Strings and Honors Orchestras at Sparta High School. He plays the guitar; has won a Sparta Battle of the Bands competition, cut a CD, and played at the Stone Pony in Asbury Park. Tom will continue on to college, majoring in music and ultimately wants to work in this field. Sparta Troop 82 is celebrating 52 years of continuous Scouting and service to the community this year. Warren Potter is the Scoutmaster of the troop.