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ALLENTOWN: New Eagle lands Boy Scouts’ highest honor

   UPPER FREEHOLD — Jake Stein, a junior at Allentown High School and member of Allentown Boy Scout Troop 180, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout for a project he completed at the middle school playground.
   Jake’s project began 18 months ago when he met with troop leaders and Upper Freehold Regional Schools Superintendent Richard Fitzpatrick to propose building a sitting area near the playground behind Stone Bridge Middle School shortly after the grade 4-8 school opened. Jake proposed building an 18-by-18 paver and concrete platform with four benches, shade tree and other landscaping.
   Jake presented the project to the Upper Freehold Regional Board of Education, obtained its approval, then garnered donations of materials and labor and supervised all aspects of the construction. Jake’s Eagle badge adviser, Kurt Bolz, provided him with advice and encouragement along the way.
   To be eligible for the rank of Eagle, a Boy Scout must have 21 merit badges, hold a leadership position within the troop and have his Eagle community service project approved and completed before his 18th birthday.
   In addition to his community service project and Scouting activities, Jake has earned 39 merit badges and has held numerous leadership positions in Boy Scout Troop 180 during the past five years, including senior patrol leader.
   The Court of Honor ceremony, when Jake will be officially presented with his Eagle badge, is set for later this year.