EDISON— Kevin and Kyle Gordon, twins from Troop 17 in Edison and Metuchen, were awarded Scouting’s highest rank on Dec. 10, culminating an 11-year scouting career.
Both boys held a number of leadership positions in their troop, including assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, and den chief. Kevin also served his troop’s historian for two years, while Kyle served as his troops’ instructor and webmaster for two years.
Both boys were brothers in the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scout National Honor Society, and both completed National Youth Leadership Training. During their scouting careers, Kevin earned 32 merit badges, participated in 119 nights of camping, and 124 community service project hours. Kyle earned 33 merit badges, participated in 156 nights of camping, and 130 community service project hours.
In 2013, Kevin and Kyle attended the National Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia, and both have twice attended High Adventure trips to the Florida Sea Base in the Florida Keys.
In addition, Kyle returned to the Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia for a second time, and later that same summer, Kyle attended the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, serving as crew leader during his crew’s 75 mile trek. By attending three National High Adventure bases, Kyle has earned the Triple Crown of National High Adventure award.
Kevin’s Eagle project was to beautify the front yard of his Troop’s Charter Organization and sponsor, The Edison Knights of Columbus. The project consisted of creating a large flower bed along the sidewalk, planting shrubs and trees, constructing and installing two benches; and installing a lattice fence along the side of the building. It took Kevin and 27 volunteers 147 service hours to complete his project. The project was made possible by donations from Barton’s Nursery in Edison, the Home Depots in Woodbridge and Edison, and Joey D’s Pizza in Metuchen.
Regarding his project, Kevin said, “I wanted to do something that gave back to the community and our troop sponsor, the Knights of Columbus. In addition, my deceased grandfather, Ed Zemanovich, was a Knight, so the project had special meaning for me.”
Kyle’s Eagle project consisted of building and installing a sign marking the southwest border of the Edison State Park, where Thomas Edison had his Menlo Park laboratory. The sign was built to N.J. State Park standards and specifications, and is located at the intersection of Dellwood Road and Route 27. The project also included clearing the surrounding area of overgrown brush, and the removal of invasive plant species. It took Kyle and 20 volunteers 130 service hours to complete the project.
Kyle’s project was made possible by donations from the the Home Depots in Woodbridge and Edison, and Panera Bread in Edison. Regarding his project, Kyle said, “I’ve visited Edison State Park many times while growing up here, learning about the great man our town is named after. I hope my project will help others to do the same”.
At their Eagle Court of Honor, Kevin and Kyle were presented their Eagle rank by their Scoutmaster Allan Krebs, and their Troop Committee Chairperson Karen Gough. They were honored by the Township Council and the state Legislature.
Kevin and Kyle are seniors at John P. Stevens High School in Edison. They are both members of the National Honor Society, and are active in choir and student council, where Kevin is an executive board member and Kyle is student council president. Kevin is also a mentor in the Future 10 Community Service Club, and Kyle a member of the JP Stevens volleyball team. Kyle is also in the National Social Studies Honor Society, and is a National Merit Commended Scholar.