By Nicole M. Wells, Special Writer
CRANBURY — Eighteen-year-old Walter Allikas may have scuba dived in the Florida Keys, canoed down the rivers of Maine and hiked up the Philmont, New Mexico trails, but it’s here at home that he soars like an eagle.
On April 10, Walter was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout – Boy Scouting’s highest achievement rank – and will be recognized at a Court of Honor ceremony at The First Presbyterian Church of Cranbury on Nov. 28.
"Once you earn the rank of Eagle Scout, you are given a Court of Honor to commemorate the achievement," Walter said.
According to his mother, Sue Allikas, Walter has risen through the ranks since joining the Boy Scouts in 2000, becoming first a Tiger Scout in Cub Scouts, where he was awarded the Arrow of Light, before joining Troop 52 as a Boy Scout in February 2007.
Walter became a Den Chief for a Cub Scout troop and was elected into leadership roles as an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and then as a Senior Patrol Leader, Ms. Allikas said.
In 2010 and 2013, Walter attended the National Scout Jamboree, which is Scouting’s flagship event, according to the Boy Scouts of America’s website. According to the organization, it is usually held over the course of 10 days every four years.
With the encouragement of Scoutmaster Timothy Brennan, Walter began work on his Eagle Scout project in the summer of 2013.
With an ever-ready list of project ideas, Mr. Brennan said that Walter seemed the logical choice for this one because of his love of movies and movie making.
"I thought, ’He’s the perfect fit for the project,’" Mr. Brennan said.
While he may have been responsible for the idea, Mr. Brennan said that Walter was responsible for everything else that went into the project.
"It was something that had never been done before," he said. "It was a lot of work, but he (Walter) took on the challenge, worked through it and got it done."
The work that went into it included coordinating schedules among everyone involved and helping homeowners ready their homes for shooting, Mr. Brennan said.
"Film making has always been an interest of mine," Walter said, "so I was glad to be given the opportunity to make a film about historic Cranbury."
With some help from longtime friends and fellow Scouts, Walter produced, directed and edited a video documentary about the walking tour that he presented to the Historical & Preservation Society upon completion, he said.
But Walter didn’t give the society just one copy of the film; he gave it 500.
To raise the necessary funds for 500 DVDs, Walter said he and his fellow Scouts held a garage sale and put on a car wash.
"We raised more than enough money to pay for the DVDs to be replicated," he said.
Audrey Smith, of the Cranbury Historical & Preservation Society, said that Walter’s video serves both the society and members of the public.
"For those who have taken our walking tour, this DVD helps to keep the experience fresh in their minds," she said. "Those who are unable to take a walking tour now have an opportunity to experience Cranbury in a way that they would not have had previously."
The documentary is being used to familiarize Cranbury residents and visitors alike with the town’s rich history, she said.
In 2013, 56,841 Scouts earned the Eagle Scout rank, according to the Boy Scouts of America. The average age of boys earning the Eagle Scout rank in 2013 was 17 years old.
Walter is currently in his freshman year at Wesley College in Delaware. He is studying business and has entrepreneurial aspirations for the future.

