PARSIPPANY — Noah Munn of Troop 173 had his Eagle Court of Honor on June 24, 2017, which completed his long trail to Eagle Scout.
The pathway to Eagle can be described as a steep trail leading up to three peaks, the highest being that of Eagle Scout. Officially, the trail starts with the Tenderfoot rank and continues through Second and First Class ranks. Then, the mountain climbing begins. The path is marked with merit badges, leadership responsibilities, service projects, and the practice of Scouting skills and ideals. The first peak reached is that of Star Scout, the second is Life Scout, and, finally, Eagle Scout.
The Eagle Scout Award is Scouting’s highest rank and among its most familiar icons. Men who have earned it count it among their most treasured possessions. Those who missed it by a whisker remember exactly which requirement they didn’t complete. Americans from all walks of life know that being an Eagle Scout is a great honor. The award is more than a badge. It’s a state of being. The Eagle Scout may have received the badge as a boy, but you earn it every day as a man. In the words of the Eagle Scout Promise, they do your best each day to make their training and example, their rank and their influence count strongly for better Scouting and for better citizenship in the troop, in their community, and in their contacts with other people. And to this they pledge their sacred honor.
Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men. Only 4% of the Boy Scouts actually earn this rank.
Noah began his Scouting experience in Cub Scout Pack 5 in 2005. He earned the Arrow of Light award and joined Troop 173 in 2010. He quickly advanced to First Class rank with the guidance of Scoutmasters Ken Galley, John Worthington, and Les Wu.
Noah progressed in leadership responsibility with the troop having served as Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s honor society.
He has earned several awards including: the Complete Angler Award in recognition of well-rounded fishing endeavors, the World Conservation Award, and the National Outdoor Award for Camping with silver and gold devices in recognition for knowledge and experience in camping, and camping 130 nights. In addition, he has accumulated over 119 Scouting-related service hours.
Noah has benefited from excellent training experiences with Woodsman Thong in 2012 and National Youth Leadership Training in 2013. At age 14, Noah became a Counselor in Training at Mount Allamuchy Scout Reservation, and worked as a Den Leader/Camp Counselor at Camp Wheeler the following summer.
In 2013, Noah participated in the first National Jamboree at Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. With over 30,000 in attendance, it was a monumental, memorable and muddy experience.
Eagle Scout Project
For his Eagle Scout Service Project Noah planned, built and installed 10 bat houses in the Mount Tabor community, combining his passion for animals and his desire to have a positive impact on his own neighborhood by providing habitat for the endangered bat species in our area, bolstering the health of the local ecosystem and reducing the mosquito population.
With the overwhelming support of the community, he was able to fully fund his project and build an additional five bat houses to donate to the Conserve Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey along with $100 from excess funds. Noah led 22 volunteer who worked over 120 hours to complete this project. Noah is a member of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. He was an altar server for eight years, and is a member of the youth group with whom he has annually worked to serve Thanksgiving meals in the Dover Soup Kitchen, and worked numerous fund raisers for youth group trips and the national youth gathering.
Noah has been active in Mount Tabor community events his whole life. First as a young participant and evolving over the years to be an active volunteer for Easter egg hunts, Christmas carols, and Tabernacle concerts. For over ten years he has volunteered for the Mount Tabor Historical Society’s annual historic House Tour as a costumed docent. He also assists at the Society’s Richardson History House museum.
A huge community event in Mount Tabor is Children’s Day. This tradition started out as a simple parade 148 years ago, but is now a full weekend celebration of the children and a much anticipated annual event. Noah has been active in Mount Tabor Children’s Day since he was five months old. As a volunteer he has helped with the Fun Run, setting up the midway, midway games, bake sales, and car washes. In 2014 he was an attendant in the Royal Court, and in 2015 he was honored to be elected by the children to be the Mount Tabor Children’s Day King. Noah is a graduate of the Morris County School of Technology in the Veterinary Science Academy where he has participated in the robotics club. In the Fall he plans to attend Elizabethtown College and major in biotechnology.
In the world of sports he recently spent a year exploring the challenges of sabre fencing. He is proud to have earned his black belt in Taekwondo.
Over the last year Noah has volunteered 160 hours at Rizzo’s Wildlife World in Flanders as a self-directed animal care-giver and improving habitat management as an intern. Earning 46 merit badges (and 8 partials!) has allowed him to explore a wide range of interests, and by serving in positions of responsibility, he has learned how to be a leader. One of the things he appreciates most about Scouting is that it helped nurture his love of science and the natural world and fed his desire to pursue a career in the sciences.
Noah’s years in Scouting have instilled an invaluable foundation of outdoor skills, leadership and community service. Thanks to all who guided and encouraged him on his 12-year-trail to Eagle.
Boy Scouts of America Troop 173 Eagle Scout Honor Roll includes Norman Schofield, Jr., Michael Gottschalk, James Searing, Geoffrey Brown, John Chervenak, Guy Corbett, Tim Corbett, Robert Burney, Juan Correa, Richard Lauber, Tim Roche,,Christopher Callahan, Thomas Cook, Stephen Corcoran, Stephan Pirylis, Brian Stewart, Patrick Roche, Edward Chiorazzi, Brian Pomarlen, Simon Healey, Keith Henderlong, David Chezem, Alex Lin, Robert Strechay, Jr., John Oleske, Daniel Strechay, Joseph Strechay, Kevin Smithers, Joseph Stevens, James Ward, Jason Viglione, Michael DeGuarde, Michael Smith, Tim Foster, Christopher Malcolm, Mark Viglione, Gary Hwang, William Barcliffe, IV, Jonathan Cook, Daniel Aguanno, Anthony Valvano, Eric Kratz, David Kratz, Thomas Corigliano, David Kinskey-Lebeda, Ryan Diggle, Mike Fulton, Dan Fulton, Brian Galley, Shane Moravsik, Paul Rossnagel, Jesse Garbarino, Shay Grabinsky, Joseph Stretavski, Brendan Barwick, Eric Galley, Bobby Ebel, Sean Michie, Michael Ludwig, Matthew Luther, Chris Gardner, Chris Worthington, Cameron Boone, Daniel Metcalf, Rishi Konkesa and Noah Munn.
