Newest Eagle Scout

Mark Lively, Committee Chair of Boy Scout Troop 59 in Port Matilda, PA and his wife Ida are proud to announce Juniata Valley Council's newest Eagle Scout, his son, Paul Shan, 17, of Port Matilda.

The Eagle Scout Board of Review convened at 7:30 p.m. on October 27th. The Eagle Scout Candidate was called into the room shortly before 8:00 p.m. The interview lasted until 8:53 p.m. when the Eagle Scout was asked to leave the room to allow the Board to discuss his candidacy. At 9:08 p.m. the Eagle Scout was called back into the room, and welcomed
into the ranks of Eagle Scout.

After earning Arrow of Light as a Webelos Cub Scout, Paul joined Troop 59 on 2/18/1999. Paul learned the basics of Scouting and survival, and was awarded First Class Rank on 8/15/2001. Paul served in leadership roles within Troop 59 including: Scribe, Librarian, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Acting Senior Patrol Leader, Order of the Arrow Troop Representative, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He received his Life Scout Rank on 5/14/2003.

To date, Paul has earned 41 merit badges which include: canoeing, first aid, wilderness survival, landscape architecture, emergency preparedness, pottery, Indian lore, environmental science, nature, railroading, citizenship in the nation, weather, basketry, citizenship in the community, leatherwork, atomic energy, citizenship in the nation, orienteering, small boat sailing, swimming, woodcarving, safety, personal fitness, public speaking, reading, communications, fish and wildlife management, soil and water conservation, camping, rowing, reptiles and amphibians, family life, oceanography, aviation, personal management, fingerprinting, whitewater, lifesaving, textiles and motor boating.

Paul's Eagle Scout Project was a restoration project for the Hannah United Methodist Women's Society at the Fowler Grove, near Hannah, PA. Paul lead a team of workers to clear downed trees and brush around the Fowler Grove building and playground. He researched flowers, including growing needs, hardiness and ease of maintenance. Under Paul's supervision, perennial flowers were planted near the building to add some color and prevent more erosion of the bank to the west side of the building. Additionally, there were several playground items, which were in disrepair that were fixed and given new coats of paint.

In the course of reaching Eagle Scout, Paul has attended a Mountain Main Trek at Philmont where he served as navigator. Paul attended the 2005 National Boy Scout Jamboree as the Patrol Leader of the Puff Patrol of Troop 4403. He is an Ordeal member of the Order of the Arrow through Monaken Lodge 103.

In addition to troop-led Junior Leader training, Paul has taken Den Chief Training, New Leader Essentials, Youth Protection, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, BSA Lifeguard, Troop Committee Challenge, Scoutmaster/Assistant Scoutmaster Specific Training, Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills and Trainer Development Conference. He holds current Red Cross certification in Fist Aid, CPR, AED, and Wilderness Survival First Aid. Paul is a member of the Juniata Valley Council Training team. He will teach Flag Etiquette at Webelos Outdoor Leader Skills Halloween weekend 2005, he has prepared to teach a session on Guide to Safe Scouting at JVC's Cub College November 5, 2005, and is teaching a session of Neckerchief Slides at Nittany Mountain District's Roundtable in February 2006.

For the past three years, Paul has been a shot put and discus thrower for the Bald Eagle High School's Track and Field team. He plans on throwing again in the spring as a Senior. Paul has been a cross-country runner for the past two years. He received his Varsity letter in Track and Field. He has also been awarded a varsity pin and a varsity bar in track. In cross country, he has earned a varsity pin and a varsity bar.

Paul hopes to become a chef after attending Indiana University of Pennsylvania's Culinary Arts school. He has taken three years of culinary courses at Bald Eagle High School, and a first-level Wilton cake-decorating class in State College, PA. In June 2005, Paul was selected to plan the menu for Troop 59's eleven-day canoeing trip near Biscotassing, Ontario, Canada. Attending the trip were twelve scouts and five adults. Paul supervised the purchasing and repackaging of food to save space. Because additional supplies were not easily obtained, he also labeled the food so there would not be any confusion as to what could be cooked for each meal, thus assuring that the troop had balanced meals, and plenty of food for the entire trip.

Plans for a May 2006 Eagle Scout Court of Honor are being made