GUILDERLAND — In a year in which it was difficult to find things to celebrate, Scout Troop 50 from St. Madeleine Sophie Parish in Guilderland was able to find a bright spot. In fact, we were able to find six bright spots in 2021 as we had six of our scouts obtain the rank of Eagle Scout this year.
As any Eagle Scout will tell you, obtaining that rank is not a trivial task but to do it during a pandemic shows the character of these young men and the can-do attitude that is part of the scouting experience.  Our troop cannot be more proud of these scouts and their accomplishments.

All six scouts came to Troop 50 from Pack 50 in 2014 and all graduated from Guilderland High School this past June.

Our first Eagle of the year was Brian Muller on March 17. Brian’s Eagle project was the rehabilitation of the meditation garden at St. Madeleine Sophie Church. This included building new benches, creating a new path to the garden, and mulching the entire area. Brian is now a freshman at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, majoring in geology.

Next was James Plummer on April 14.  Jamess’s Eagle project was the building of a kiosk at the trailhead on French’s Mill Road of the Vosburgh Trails in Guilderland. James also cleaned up the trailhead and mulched the area. James is now a freshman at SUNY Binghamton, majoring in engineering.

Our next Eagle was Robert Fitzpatrick on June 18. Robert led the troop in stripping, repairing, and staining the woodwork in the cafeteria at the St. John’s/St. Ann’s food pantry in Albany. Robert is now in the United States Army as a Private First Class (PFC), training to be a combat medic. Robert is already a PFC upon enlisting due to having earned the Eagle Scout rank!)

Our next Eagle Scout is Sean Butler on July 12. Sean worked with the town of Guilderland to create a new trail as part of the Vosburgh Trail system off Vosburgh Road. Sean led the troop to clear a new trail, mulch both ends of the trail, put up trail markers, and place picnic tables at the trailhead. Sean is now a freshman at Clarkson University, majoring in civil engineering.

Our next Eagle Scout is Alexander Evans on Aug. 16. Alexander’s project was to build picnic tables and benches to be placed at the Fireman’s Park in Guilderland. While installing the tables and benches, Alexander noticed that the park needed a good raking and cleanup so that was added to the tasks to be done that day. Alexander is now a freshman at Clarkson University, majoring in engineering and management.

And last but certainly not least is Asa Guntert on Sept. 29. Asa’s project involved widening and realigning the yellow trail at Tawasentha Park. Asa also led the troop in building a picnic table and bench. The picnic table is now at the edge of the Normanskill Creek near the bridge that crosses the creek. The bench is at the intersection of the yellow and red trails. Asa is now a freshman at SUNY Adirondack majoring in engineering science.

As you can tell from this list, our troop was very busy and looks forward to any projects that help our community.

Troop 50 serves youths from 11 years of age to 17. The troop meets Wednesdays from 7 to 8:15 p.m. at the St. Madeleine Sophie Parish Center on Carman Road in Guilderland. For more information, call me at 518-577-0434.

Editor’s note: Sam Dikeman is the assistant scoutmaster of Guilderland’s Troop 50.