Photos courtesy of Mark Garner.
From top: Brandon Bogard, Richard Fu and Patrick Rhodes earned the highest rank in the Boy Scouts.
Boy Scout Troop 1, chartered by Southminster Presbyterian Church in Vestavia Hills, held an Eagle Scout court of honor Sunday, Jan. 10, to recognize three young men who earned Scouting’s highest rank.
Brandon Bogard, son of Mimi and Howard Bogard of Vestavia Hills, joined Troop 1 in 2009 after crossing over from Cub Scout Pack 1 where he earned his Arrow of Light award.
Brandon served in several positions of responsibility within the troop, including troop guide, scribe and bugler. Brandon, a senior at Vestavia Hills High School, earned 24 merit badges and completed his Eagle rank June 11.
His leadership project was to build a horseshoe pitching court at the St. Martin’s in the Pines retirement home. Brandon led a team of workers during several weekends to build the pits, backstops, benches and scoreboard.
Richard Fu, son of Hongwei Qin and Jianjun (J.J.) Fu of Vestavia Hills, joined Troop 1 in 2011 after crossing over from Cub Scout Pack 235 where he earned his Arrow of Light award.
Richard served in several positions of responsibility within the troop, including assistant senior patrol leader. A sophomore at VHHS, Richard earned 27 merit badges and completed his Eagle rank Dec. 10.
Richard’s Eagle leadership project was to build an outdoor chapel at Bluff Park Baptist Church. The chapel is on a hillside next to the church and features a cross, speaker platform and benches. Richard led a team of troop members and others during several weekends to build the chapel.
Patrick Rhodes, son of Laura and John Rhodes of Vestavia Hills, joined Troop 1 in 2009 after crossing over from Cub Scout Pack 1 where he earned his Arrow of Light award.
He served in several positions of responsibility within the troop, including patrol leader and quartermaster and completed National Youth Leadership Training. A senior at VHHS, Patrick earned 24 merit badges and completed his Eagle rank July 9.
Patrick’s Eagle leadership project was to add a floor and benches to a shelter at a community garden in the Thomas area of northwest Birmingham. The project was sponsored by the Christian Service Mission. Patrick designed the floor layout and led a crew of workers from the troop during several weekends to install the floor and build the benches.
– Submitted by Mark Garner.
