MARLBORO — Peter Smith, 14, of Marlboro, has earned the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Scout award.
Peter, who is a member of Holmdel Troop 331, is one of approximately 4 percent of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank, according to Scoutmaster Brian McMullen. Each candidate must earn 21 merit badges and successfully show leadership in a service project benefiting his community.
Peter chose to improve hiking trails at Cheesequake State Park in Old Bridge. Under the guidance of park interpretive specialist Jim Faczak, Peter led 33 volunteers in the design and construction of two trail gateways on the Red, Green and Blue trails.
The planning and completion of the project took 200 hours. The project used more than 400 pounds of wood and 720 pounds of concrete. The volunteers included Peter’s family and the Boy Scouts and adult leaders from Troop 331. Material donations came from Home Depot in Howell and Lowe’s in Marlboro.
The following volunteers participated: Aedan Hale, Mike Hale, Glen Lauzon, Kevin Lauzon, Steven Ruda, Al Ruda, Sam Zhou, Jan Rybnicky, Robert Rybnicky, Brian Lipson, Oren Merhav, Pete Kaylor, Ryan Kaylor, Albert Ching, William McBurnie, Billy McBurnie, Brian Ching, Charles Ricottone, Eric Katzen, Evan Katzen, Grant Rybnicky, Hal Katzen, James
Smith, Karen Bond, Linda Smith, Marc Ricottone, Phoebe Smith, Ryan Wood, Scott Blechman, Stephen Wood, Tom Wood, Tyler Bond and Vilmos Burgermeister.
In scouting, Peter has earned a total of 33 merit badges and the following BSA awards: world conservation, kayaking and mile swim. He will participate in High Adventure programs this summer at Camp Forestburg, N.Y., and Cape Cod, Mass.
Peter started out as a Tiger Scout in Pack 86 in Marlboro and went on to Boy Scout Troop 331 in Holmdel. Peter is an honor roll student who recently graduated from the Marlboro Middle School. He will attend the Freehold Regional High School District Science and Engineering Learning Center at Manalapan High School starting in September.
Peter is the son of James and Linda Smith of Marlboro. A fall Court of Honor to recognize his achievement is planned.