Scouts thank families, friends for guidance BY CLARE MARIE CELANO Staff Writer Stephen Brightman and Celestino “Chito” Samaniego have something in common with astronaut Neil Armstrong — all three are Eagle Scouts. And, according to Edward Carroll, Unit Serving Executive for the Battleground District, Monmouth Council of Boy Scouts, the young men are in good company. Eleven of the 12 men who landed on the moon also earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Stephen and Chito were recently honored for the achievements that led them to reach a level that only 2 percent of all Boy Scouts reach — the rank of Eagle. According to Carroll, being an Eagle Scout means that the Scout has developed leadership skills and the discipline to stick with a task until it is completed. “They have learned to be of service to others and to organize and lead others,” Carroll said. “Scouts who have reached this level are the achievers. They are the movers, the ones who set goals and end up being successful in many things.” Chito, 17, of Freehold Borough, and Stephen, 17, of Freehold Township, are both members of Troop 18, Freehold. They were honored during a Court of Honor at St. Rose of Lima Chapel, Freehold, in November. Both young men have worked for almost 10 years to achieve Scouting’s highest rank. As a final step, each young man had to complete an Eagle Scout project. Stephen, who is a senior at Red Bank Catholic High School, collected old and worn American flags and cremated more than 500 flags in a solemn ceremony earlier this year. Stephen is seeking a nomination and appointment to the United States Military Academy, West Point, N.Y. Chito, a senior at High Technology High School, Lincroft, plans to pursue a career in secondary math education. His Eagle project sought to decrease the effects of erosion at specific parts of Lake Topanemus by extending the bank of the lake about 10 feet into the water and planting shrubs and vegetation common to the area. He also installed chicken wire to prevent geese from destroying the plants. Master of Ceremonies Doug Heden welcomed guests and the friends and family members of both award recipients to the ceremony. A chronology of the trail that Boy Scouts must traverse to attain the coveted Eagle Scout honor was narrated by Eagle Scout Michael Zalewski. As he announced each step, a Scout lit a candle on the altar in honor of that event on the trail. “You kept moving and continued to help others, respecting yourself and guiding other Scouts,” Zalewski told the two young men. Stephen’s award was presented to him by Raymond Thompson, one of his Scout leaders throughout his career. “You advanced to the leadership ranks and you hung in there and did one heck of a job,” Thompson said. Chito’s mother, Catherine, presented his award. She told her son how proud she was to have two Eagle Scouts in the family. Chito’s older brother, Carl, was presented with his Eagle Scout award one year ago. “We are so proud of you Chito,” she said, referring to Chito’s father, Cesar. “It took many years to get to this point. You have worked so very hard.” She thanked the Scout leaders and mentors who had “made an investment in Chito” over the years. Freehold Township Mayor Dorothy Avallone reminded Stephen she has known him since he was a child. “You are very special to us,” she said. “With your dedication, you have accomplished something very few ever achieve. This is not ‘it’ for you, Stephen. We will continue to watch you rise in your life and you will continue to succeed. We will see you soar like an Eagle.” She congratulated both young men, but reminded them, “You did not do this alone. Your families, your leaders, mentors, and especially your parents should all be thanked.” Roger Kane, chairman of the Lake Topanemus Commission, congratulated the young men on their achievements. He said the logs that Chito and his fellow Scouts placed along the bank of the lake led members of the commission to examine the possibility of doing the same project at other areas of the lake. Kane said the lake has once again reaped long-term benefits from an Eagle Scout project. Freehold Borough Councilman Robert Crawford told Chito that he was one of the 98 percent of Scouts who did not attain the rank of Eagle. He presented Chito with a resolution from the mayor and Borough Council commending him for his achievement. Bruce Shapiro presented the two Eagle Scouts with a proclamation from the state Assembly. Freehold Township Committeeman Raymond Kershaw and representatives of VFW Post 4374, the Freehold Elks and the Knights of Columbus were also in attendance. The Scouts thanked their families and Scout leaders for providing support and encouragement over the years. Stephen thanked his parents, Kim and Bob, as well as Thompson and Jim Brown, a past Scout leader. He said that if it had not been for Brown he may not have stayed for the whole trail to Eagle Scout. Chito thanked his family and friends, and made a special point to thank his mom for always “being there” and for making sure that his uniform badges and patches were always sewn on “nice and neat,” and for acting as his taxi and for taking care of his laundry.