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PENNINGTON: Teen gets Eagle award for project

Christopher Brzezynski spearheaded project to install pew hymnal holders at Pennington Presbyterian Church

By John Tredrea, Staff Writer
   A 17-year-old Pennington boy recently received an Eagle Scout award for his successful design, construction, painting and installation of pew hymnal holders at the Pennington Presbyterian Church, on South Main Street.
   The new Eagle is Christopher Brzezynski, a member of Boy Scout Troop 44 and the son of Ken and Joy Brzezynski. .
   Working with Pennington Presbyterian deacons, the Rev. Susan Fall and a crew of volunteers, Chris saw his pew hymnal holder project through from start to finish.
   He secured donations for his project from the church’s congregation, the Hopewell Valley Lions Club, the Home Depot, Pennington Hardware and Hamilton Supply.
   Chris spent more than 300 hours planning and completing the project.
   Chris joined Cub Scouts at age 7 and in 2002 earned the highest award, the Arrow of Light. His 11 years of Scouting has been filled with campouts, hiking, adventure and the development of leadership skills and character.
   In 2004, he was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society. Over the years, Chris has served the troop as assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, troop guide, senior patrol leader and assistant junior scoutmaster.
   As a member of Troop 44, he regularly attended summer camp at Camp NoBeBoSco, in Blairstown, before being offered a job as a counselor, a position he has held for four years.
   The history of Eagle Scouting dates back to 1912. Chris’s fellow Eagle Scouts include astronaut Neil Armstrong, who landed on the moon in 1969, former New Jersey Sen. Bill Bradley, former President Gerald Ford and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
   To earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Boy Scout must satisfy rigorous requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills. Only 2 percent of Boy Scouts attain the Eagle rank. Eagle candidates must have completed at least 21 merit badges and organized a service project that benefits his church, community or school.
   Chris earned 33 merit badges.