Rushton Hiltbrand takes his father’s lapel to place the father recognition pin at his Eagle Court of Honor
Susan Hiltbrand had tears in her eyes as she pinned recognition pins on her two youngest sons, Grant and Rushton Hiltrand, when they were recognized as Eagle Scouts.
The rank of Eagle is the ultimate honor one can receive as a boy scout and must be earned before the scout turns 18 years old. The court of honor was held in Rancho Santa Margarita at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) building near Altisima Park.
LDS Stake Presidency First Counselor, James Carter, leads the new Eagles in the Scout Oath. “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country….”
Six local scouts were honored including the Hiltbrand brothers, Jordan Procuniar, Riley Rubalcava, Tyler Schoessow, and Connor Traut.
The most well known part of earning the rank of Eagle is the Eagle project. The service project is to be at least 100 man-hours and is designed and orchestrated by the scout himself.
Two scouts, Tyler Schoessow, Foothill Ranch resident, and Rushton Hiltbrand, Portola Hills resident, joined together to paint and install a picket fence at Boys Town to bring it up to county code. Grant Hiltbrand and Riley Rubalcava focused on helping schools. Grant repainted the Unites States Map at Portola Hills Elementary and Riley worked hundreds of hours in special education classes at Cielo Vista Elementary. Portola Hills, Jordan Procuniar, collected canned food for South County Outreach and Ladera Ranch, Connor Traut, founded the Teen Leadership Council in Ladera Ranch.
The court of honor began with the scouts and congregation singing “My Country Tis of Thee”. Then the customary formation of the eagle’s nest, which basically means that all past Eagle Scouts in the audience are invited to come and sit on the stage during the ceremony.
The eagle’s nest included college students, CPAs, lawyers and business owners. Even LDS Stake Presidency Counselor, James Carter, joked about the nest’s diversity of the dress ranging from sweats to jeans to boy scout uniforms to business suits.
After the tribute by Ryan Webber, Portola Hills resident and Boy Scout leader, Steve Rubalcava, retired marine and father to Riley, gave a presentation talking about the importance of honor.
Each of the young men recognized then shared what they had each learned in becoming an Eagle. Riley, son of Steve Rubalcava, said, “I learned that no matter how hopeless a task can be; I can do it!” Connor Traut, a boy scout since second grade, made a similar comment when he said, “You can work through anything. All the skills you learn as a boy scout can be used in real life.”
Article and Photos By: Karen Lake
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Media Director
Santa Margarita Stake
http://www.mormons.org
