Scouts attain Eagle rank

MANALAPAN — Three young men from Boy Scout Troop 434, Manalapan, have attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

According to a press release, the scouts are Anthony Siluk, Daniel Boyce and Ethan Seltzer. They received their Eagle Scout award at a Court of Honor ceremony held at the Covered Bridge ballroom on June 7.

Guest speakers at the Court of Honor included Bob Epstein, representing the homeowners of Covered Bridge; Kathleen Picciano, senior Battleground District executive of Monmouth Council Boy Scouts of America; Dan Savino, representing the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Cpl. Philip A. Reynolds Detachment Marine Corps League; Charles Sona, senior vice commander, and Bruce Weinwurm, chaplain, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 74, Freehold; and Manalapan Mayor Jack Mc- Naboe.

In 2013, Boy Scout service projects were conducted by more than 2.6 million youth members and more than one million volunteers. The Troop 434 Eagle Scouts did their part this year by completing their Eagle projects in order to achieve the rank of Eagle, according to the press release.

Anthony built a 10-foot x 20-foot picnic shelter with concrete footings and a fiberglass/ asphalt shingle roof to replace a shelter damaged by superstorm Sandy at Camp Sacajawea, a Girl Scout camp in Howell. The shelter will be used by the Girl Scouts and others in the community.

Anthony attends Manalapan High School and will graduate in 2016. He is planning to pursue a career in arts or history.

Daniel up-righted and repaired historical grave markers at Old Tennent Cemetery, Manalapan, with the help of more than 50 volunteers including scouts, leaders, teachers from Manalapan High School and 43 member of Manalapan High School’s Peer Leadership program.

The project will preserve the stones for future generations. There are soldiers buried in the cemetery from virtually every war in which the United States has fought.

Daniel is a senior at Manalapan High School and plans to become a law enforcement ranger with the National Park Service.

Ethan planned and built a garden for preschool students of Temple Beth Ahm, Aberdeen. The garden consists of four 5-foot x 5-foot planters, an eco-friendly gutter system that collects rainwater for the plants, and a stage and tree stumps for the children to play on. The garden provides a living classroom that teaches the students about growing plants and the source of many important foods.

Ethan is a junior at Biotechnology High School, Freehold Township, where he serves as president of the Student Government Association. He is a member of the Manalapan High School cross country team. In the future, he plans to pursue a career as a scientist and continue his passion for running.