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Scout troops host Court of Honor, present awards
Scouts
Scouts from Troop 43 bear the American flag and Boy Scouts flag to kick off the recent Court of Honor. Several scouts received merit badges, advanced in rank, and earned special recognition for camp achievements.

Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 2043 and Troop 43 hosted a special Court of Honor at the Oakdale Youth Building, 297 Gilbert Ave., in a ceremony awarding scouts merit badges and rank advancements. While the two troops are separate, they both wear the same badge on their sleeve, Troop 43. However, Troop 2043 is an all-girls troop, and Troop 43 is all-boys. The troops are preparing to merge in early September to make Oakdale history with the first and only co-ed troop in Oakdale.

In BSA, there are 135 merit badges available to receive, and at the Court of Honor for Troops 2043 and 43, a total of 75 merit badges were awarded to a number of scouts, along with 10 rank advancements. BSA states that merit badges allow scouts to “learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers.”

At the July 31 Court of Honor ceremony, McKayla Hughes, Zander Hernandez, Devin Mahida, Evan Matthews, Orson Pitrowski, Willow Pitrowski, Ashlynn Stallcup, Aiden Stuart, and Rory Stuart all received their Citizenship in the World merit badge. This merit badge requires scouts to understand current events, international organizations, government positions, and international travel, allowing them to delve into complex issues. Other merit badges were awarded to scouts for accomplishments in areas such as archery, art, astronomy, athletics, bird study, camping, chess, Citizenship in Society, and first aid, among others.

BSA has six ranks: Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. Addisyn Martin, Emry Nykoluk, and Willow Piotrowski advanced to Tenderfoot; Krishna Carr-Anderson and Devin Mahida advanced from Tenderfoot to Second Class; McKayla Hughes advanced from Second Class to First Class; Zander Hernandez, Evan Matthews, Nellaka Matthews, and Max Toepfer advanced from Star to Life.

Camp achievements were also awarded at the Court of Honor, with merit badges and rank advancements. Ashlynn Stallcup and Zander Hernandez received the Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience (COPE) achievement; Emry Nykoluk received the Polar Bear Plunge achievement; McKayla Hughes received the Chieftain Run achievement. Also, Zander Hernandez and Orson Piotrowski received the Iron Bear Award achievement; Kai Sturdy received the BSA Lifeguard achievement; Nellaka Matthews received the Camp Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) achievement.

Nellaka Matthews will soon become the Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 43 when Troop 2043 and 43 merge and she will be the first-ever female Senior Patrol Leader in the 83-year history of Troop 43. Matthews has been a scout since the fall of 2021 and is ready and excited to advance to her new position. Matthews is prepared to “make a difference” and lead the soon-to-be combined Troop 43 for years to come.