FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP — A Court of Honor was held by Boy Scout Troop 155 at the West Freehold School on March 30. The purpose of this ceremony, which brings together Scouts, their families and the troop’s adult leadership, is to promote Scouts through the ranks of scouting, as well as to award merit badges and recognize their accomplishments.
After the Scout Oath and Law and the Pledge of Allegiance were recited, rank advancements were announced. The following boys were advanced to the rank of Scout: Matthew Ferrara, Chris Friedman and Nicholas Kramer. Richmond O’Brien was promoted to Tenderfoot in a candle ceremony, which is only performed for those Scouts advancing to the Tenderfoot or Eagle rank. It reaffirms scouting’s core values among the boys and their families. Chris Anastasio, Forrest Brunner, Phillip Hu and Nathaniel Kramer were promoted to Second Class. Nathaniel Kramer was also given the special distinction of attaining First Class rank in his first year as a Boy Scout. Nick Montalto attained the rank of Life Scout.
Merit badges were awarded, and new troop leaders were invested. Richie Cohen was named Senior Patrol Leader; his assistant senior patrol leader will be Matt Neaton. The patrol leaders of the four patrols within Troop 155 and other troop positions were named.
Adam Kaplowitz was recognized for his participation in the second annual Drive-In Event sponsored by the Freehold Com-munity Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. Troop 155 was recognized for finishing second, third and fourth in the Klondike Derby, which was held in February.
This Court of Honor included a special annual event, the Order of the Arrow Tap Out.
The Tap Out is rich in scouting symbolism and tradition. Scouts and adult leaders who are elected by the troop members are then able to wear the order’s distinctive sash and participate in the Order of the Arrow Ordeal.
Jonathan DiBianca, Stanley Benarick, Nick Mon-talto, Travis Sandin, Adam Kaplowitz and Mr. Thomas Ferrara were selected as new “OA” members during this year’s Tap Out.