 Scouting
I have been involved in Scouting for many years. I am part of the
Connecticut Yankee Council. I currently serve as an Assistant Scoutmaster with
Troop 68 at St. Theresa's Church. Scouting has been a very large part of my life over
the years. It has taught me many things along the way that will be a benefit to me in the years to come.
I have been able to do some impressive things through the Scouting program. I have gone on several camping and backpacking trips,
whitewater rafting, hiking trips, climbed Mount Washington, gone rappelling, and participated in many other activities. I have also
been fortunate enough to attend several National events and meet people from all over the country and the world. I have attended the
1997 National Scout Jamboree, the 1999 National Leadership Summit, and four National Order of the Arrow Conferences
One of my greatest achievements during my life is becoming an Eagle Scout. The trail to Scouting's highest rank is vigorous and
takes many years to achieve. Nationally, less than 2% of all scouts achieve the rank of Eagle. Many famous and influential people in
our country's history have been Eagle Scouts. For example, President Gerald Ford, Astronauts Neil Armstrong, John Glenn, and James
Lovell, H. Ross Perot, and movie producer Steven Spielberg are all Eagle Scouts.
 Order of the Arrow
The Order of the Arrow is "Scouting's National Honor Society." I have been
an active member of the Order since I took my Ordeal in May of 1993. On June 21, 1996, the Vigil Honor was bestowed upon me by my fellow
brothers of Tankiteke Lodge 313. The Vigil Honor is the highest honor that an arrowman can receive. It can not be earned, it is only
given for unselfish service to others. Because of this, I was truly honored to receive the Honor from my Lodge. My Lenne Lenape Indian
name is "Wingolauchsik Nimat Lachpikin" which being interpreted is "Cheerful Brother Who Grows Fast." The name has
a lot of significance behind it. My fellow Lodge brothers say that I always have a cheerful spirit and have seen me grow both physically
and mentally over the years. I am now a member of Owaneco Lodge 313 which was formed when
Tankiteke Lodge 313 and Arcoon Lodge 369 merged in 1998.
During my years in the Order, I have had the opportunity to be a member of the Tankiteke Ceremonies team where I have met some of my
best Scouting friends. At the National Conference in 1996, my team earned the National Honor status forour performance in the Pre-Ordeal
Ceremony. At the 2000 National Conference, I achieved the Honor status once again for my performance in the Vigil Honor Ceremony. It was
also during that Conference where I served on the Inductions and Ceremonial Events staff for the first time.
The Order of the Arrow has also given me the opportunity to serve in numerous leadership roles in my Lodge including my term as Lodge
Chief from 1997-1998. I also served a term as the Section Vice Chief, which consisted of all the Arrowmen in Connecticut, the five boroughs
of New York City, and all of Long Island.
Order of the Arrow Resource Page
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