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Saturday's Internet Edition, 12:09 AM, July 31, 2010.
Wilton teen awarded Eagle Scout at ceremony
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Photo by Fran Soto
Wilton resident Chris Mefferd (second from right) stands with his proud parents Carolyn Saputo and Brad Condit at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Saturday, July 10. Scoutmaster Todd Kimmer presents Mefferd with the parent pins to be given to Saputo and Condit for all the support given to their son in his quest to achieve Eagle Scout status.
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By Fran Soto
River Valley Times Staff
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Wilton resident Christopher Franklin Mefferd was awarded Eagle Scout status at his Court of Honor on Saturday, July 10. The ceremony was held at the home of his parents Carolyn Saputo and Brad Condit with a reception following.
Mefferd, who graduated this spring from Pleasant Grove High School, has been a member of the scouting program since third grade and is a member of Boy Scout Troop 288. “Thank you for all being out here today,” Mefferd said upon receiving a framed copy of his Eagle Scout award. “Earning Eagle Scout was a lot of hard work, but it was worth it.”
Sacramento County Supervisor Don Nottoli presented Mefferd with a proclamation and said that he was impressed with the scope of the Eagle project and that it represented Mefferd’s wish to give back to his community. “This is in recognition for your good work and that you will go on to lead in your community,” Nottoli said. “Scouts are the future of our country and our communities. I am pleased to recognize you and applaud your leaders.”
Attaining Eagle Scout requires the completion under strict guidelines of his Eagle project. With the help of mentor Bill Lloyd, Mefferd chose the renovation of the school garden at James McKee Elementary School as his Eagle Scout project. “This school gave me so much, that I wanted to give something back,” Mefferd said.
After meeting with the Principal Steven Looper, Mefferd designed his project to included roofing and storage shed repair, removing two trees, repairing the gate, weeding and laying anti-weed mat and bark.
This ambitious project required extensive weeding and mowing to prepare the planting beds so that elementary students can plant the garden. A group of adult volunteers assisted with roofing and repairing the shed, which had been damaged by vandals.
The gate was also repaired so that it can be closed and locked. Mefferd collected donations to help with creating a composing area with cinder block. According to his mom, Mefford also designed a dedicated area for the children to learn the advantages of composing.
Soaring Eagle Council Commissioner Don Mahlke introduced Mefferd and convened the Court of Honor. The program included a presentation of colors by members of Troop 288, a reaffirming of Boy Scout oath principals by Scoutmaster Todd Kimmer and presentation of parents’ pins and mentor pin by Mefferd.
Members of Troop 288 repeated the elements of the significance of the Eagle badge and Jeff Hickey, former scoutmaster of Troop 288, gave the Eagle charge. Teresa Brown, assistant scoutmaster on Eagle Board of Review, gave a keynote address and called on the honor guard to escort Mefferd before the Court of Honor. “The attainment of this award is made possible through the assistance of those with the candidate today, his scoutmasters, troop leaders, fellow scouts, parents, family, friends and members of the community,” Mahlke said. “The Eagle is the highest recognition offered in scouting. It is earned through the advancement program. The wearer of the Eagle award is the embodiment of scouting’s best efforts and beliefs.”
Mefferd plans to spend the next year working full time as an auto technician at Golden State Auto Repair while he decides which course of study he will pursue. He plans to attend community college in the fall of 2011. He enjoys working with cars and following sports and may consider a career in the sports field.
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