Stevenson Earns Eagle Scout Award

Pictured above: Eagle Scout Andrew Stevenson with PA State Senator, Scott Hutchinson and State Represantative, Lee James who was also an Eagle Scout.

Andrew Stevenson of Nickleville celebrated earning the rank of Eagle Scout during a Court of Honor held at Grace E.C. Church in Nineveh on May 31. The Eagle Scout rank is the highest achievement in the Scouts BSA program and represents a lifelong achievement. To earn this rank, Scouts must meet a series of requirements, including earning a minimum of 21 merit badges (including 13 Eagle required ones), demonstrating leadership and service, and completing a significant community service project.

Andrew completed all of the requirements in December plus an additional 7 merit badges earning a bronze palm. In February he had his Board of Review, which upon completion officially earned him the rank of Eagle Scout. For his Eagle project, Andrew chose to serve at Oil Creek State Park, a place where his troop had hiked, camped, and participated in service projects throughout his Scouting career. He reached out to park manager David Hallman to determine what needs the park had. Together, they decided on a project to remove invasive plant species from the Blood Farm Area of the park. These invasive plants were cleared to allow native species to flourish, and the removed plant material was repurposed to create natural habitats for local wildlife. The project was completed by Andrew with the help of leaders and family.

Andrew, a lifelong Scout, graduated from A-C Valley on May 28 and is the son of Charles and Tami Stevenson. He began his Scouting journey as a Lion Cub in Kindergarten with a Cub Scout Pack 60. In first grade, he transferred to Cub Scout Pack 55, where he advanced through all the ranks—Tiger, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos—ultimately earning the Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouting. He then crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 55, where he remained an active scout through earning his Eagle. Andrew is the 60th Scout from Troop 55 of Ninevah to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

While in Troop 55, Andrew held multiple leadership roles, including Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, and Quartermaster. He traveled to New York to participate in the National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) and later served as a guide for the French Creek Council’s NYLT program held at Custaloga Town Scout Reservation. He traveled to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico on two different occasions once in 2021 at the age of 14 and then again in 2024 at the age of 17. Each time he took part in a 12-day backpacking trek covering 50 plus miles, participated in program activities along the trek, and also completed more than 3 hours of conservation work.

Andrew was also inducted into the Order of the Arrow (OA), Scouting’s national honor society, and is a Brotherhood member of the Langundowi Lodge #46. The OA recognizes Scouts who best exemplify the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, as elected by their peers.

During the Court of Honor, Andrew received citations from U.S. Congressman GT Thompson—who is also an Eagle Scout—Pennsylvania Senator Scott Hutchinson, and Pennsylvania State Representative R. Lee James—who is also an Eagle Scout.

Andrew’s favorite part of being in Scouts was backpacking and being outdoors. He has learned so much over his tenure with Scouts but states the biggest thing he learned from Scouts is leadership skills, learning to effectively communicate with people and organize events. He is choosing to remain active in Scouts as a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. His future plans include attending Penn State Behrend this fall to study Physics. He extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported him throughout his Scouting journey and helped him celebrate this once-in-a-lifetime achievement.