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Emmaus, PA – Boy Scout Troop 431 of East Texas, Pennsylvania celebrated the accomplishments of five young men who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Congratulations to Ryan David Bennett, Charles David Peters III, Benjamin Graham Fletcher, Aidan Jecko Arakkal, and Gregory Joseph Smith III.
In a fitting fashion scouts, families, other Eagle Scouts, community members and leaders, overcame a snowstorm today to gather at The Lutheran Church of the Holy Spirit in Emmaus to celebrate the young men who earned the highest rank in scouting.
The path to Eagle Scout is clearly defined, but like any good map it shows only the way it does not fully express the conditions and strength required to get from one point to another. With grit and determination these scouts had to commit to learning skills and mental fortitude to reach the newly attained rank. Families supported and encouraged their scouts along the way. Scout leaders helped guide scouts from one rank to the next. The scouts learned about what it means to be a good citizen and interacted with their communities to help make them a better place.
During the ceremony we heard from Scout leaders, members of the United Stated Congress, Pennsylvania State Representatives, a Lehigh County Judge, retired Marine and Navy posts, and most importantly from the new Eagle Scouts themselves. All echoing each other about what it took to become an Eagle Scout, what it means to the individual and what it means to the community and country. These young men have proven themselves as leaders, they have proven they have the skills to carry them through all kinds of situations. They have joined the ranks of men who have landed on the moon, lead men to victory in battle, who have saved a neighbor’s life, and have ensured our great nation has community members to ensure this nation never loses site of the great fundamentals it was founded on.
Along with participating in scouting each of these scouts have been very active in their communities and schools. Below is a little more about each of these amazing Eagle Scouts.
Ryan Bennett, a Senior at Emmaus High School, has been active in Scouting since joining as a Bear Scout, in 3rd grade, at 7 years old.
With Troop 431, Ryan has camped 71 nights and hiked 322 miles. With the troop he has held the positions of Historian, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. He became the Crew Leader while on the High Adventure trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico in 2021. Ryan is also an Ordeal member of the Order of the Arrow, was awarded Scout of the Quarter Award in 2019, and was awarded the William E. Garber Scout of the Year Award in 2020. He will receive 7 Palms with his Eagle Scout rank as he has earned 60 merit badges to date.
Outside of Scouting, Ryan is a part of the percussion section in the Emmaus Green Hornet Marching Band, the Emmaus Symphonic Band, a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish National Honor Society, and a member of Key Club. He has spent time working as an umpire starting at age 12, and works as the Lower Macungie Youth Association Head Groundskeeper. Ryan loves playing baseball for Lower Macungie Youth Association. He also enjoys chemistry and spending time as a Junior Assistant Coach for Lower Mac Impact Travel Softball Team.
Ryan plans on studying Chemistry Education for four years after high school.
Eagle Project: Ryan built a local trailhead within Lower Macungie Township at Camp Olympic Park. With the help of local businesses, troop members and some friends and family, Ryan constructed the trailhead which details the park’s features and amenities. The trailhead also depicts the disc golf course, the Emmaus High School Cross Country course, and local trails.
Charlie Peters, a senior at Emmaus High School, has been active in scouting since joining as a Tiger Scout in first grade at 6 years old in 2012.
With Troop 431, Charlie has camped 115 nights and hiked 427 miles. He has held the leadership positions of Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He attended a High Adventure trip to Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico with the Troop in 2021 and was competitively selected as one of sixteen scouts to attend as part of the Ranch Hands program in 2023.
Charlie is also a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, was awarded two Scout of the Quarter Awards, and was awarded the William E. Garber Scout of the Year award for 2022.
Outside of scouting, Charlie plays the trumpet in the Emmaus High School Band (Marching, Symphonic, and Jazz), is a member of the Emmaus High School football team, and a member of the Emmaus High School rifle team. He spends time working on his family’s farm and with his horse. He enjoys being with friends and working outside, mainly with his friends Jacob Hillegass and Aidan Rau.
Charlie committed to Delaware Valley University and will be majoring in Animal Science with the ambition of becoming a large animal veterinarian.
Eagle Project: Charlie cleaned out, waterproofed and organized the basement of the historic Bortz Log House of the Lower Macungie Township Historical Society. Over several weekends with the help of troop members, friends and family, Charlie removed thirty years’ worth of no longer used material, applied waterproofing paint, built shelves and a workbench. This project created usable storage space for the Historical Society to organize and store its artifacts.
Ben Fletcher, a senior at Emmaus High School, has been active in scouting since joining as a Wolf Scout in second grade at 7 years old.
As a member of Troop 431, Benjamin has camped 76 nights and hiked 319.5 miles. With the troop he has held the positions of OA Unit Representative, Patrol Leader, Chaplain Aide, Assistant Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Troop Guide. He attended a High Adventure trip at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico in 2021. Benjamin is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. In 2022, Ben was awarded Scout of the Quarter award and the William E. Garber Scout of the Year award.
Outside of scouting, Benjamin plays viola for the Emmaus High School Orchestra; is a member of the National Honors Society; participates in the high school’s Fitness Team; plays tennis for Emmaus; and is involved in the high school’s Chorale and smaller group men’s acapella ensemble Fermata Nowhere. He has spent time working as a lifeguard at Dorney Park and as a cashier at Giant in Trexlertown. He enjoys playing tennis, basketball, and spending time with his friends and family.
Benjamin plans on exploring career options while taking general education classes at Lehigh Carbon Community College.
Eagle Project: Benjamin ran a drive collecting bikes to donate to Community Bike Works in Allentown. With the help from family and Troop members, the bikes were collected and transported to Allentown for use in their various programs. His project overall delivered 75 bikes to support and continue their programs.
Aidan Arakkal, a senior at Emmaus High School, has been active in scouting since joining as a Bear Scout in third grade at 8 years old.
With Troop 431, Aidan has camped 51 nights and hiked 99 miles. He has held the position of Librarian, Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, Patrol Leader, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Aidan attended a High Adventure Kayaking Trip in West Virginia and is an Order of the Arrow Ordeal member.
Outside of scouting Aidan is a member of the National Honor Society at Emmaus High School. He is President and Co-Founder of Emmaus High School’s Chess Club and Team Captain of the school’s Chess Team where he competes against other schools. He is a Member of the Executive Board for the Science Olympiad Team and recently medaled at states. He is also Co-President and Co-Founder of the school’s SAT Prep program where he mentors 30+ students. He is also an officer of the school’s Student Government Association responsible for large-scale events within the school. He enjoys spending his time mowing the lawn and hiking and fishing with his family. He also enjoys playing volleyball with his friends on the weekends.
Aidan has plans on studying Computer Engineering for 6 years to earn his Bachelor’s and Master’s.
Eagle Project: In an area of the Wildlands Conservancy’s newly acquired Black River Sanctuary, Aidan cleared a variety of invasive species in thick brush with the assistance of several scouts. After the area was cleared, they repopulated the area with native plants and surrounded them with fencing to protect them from local wildlife.
Greg Smith, a senior at Emmaus High School, has been active in scouting since joining as a Tiger Scout in first grade at 7 years old.
With Troop 431, Greg has camped 67 nights and hiked 278 miles. With the troop he has held the positions of Scribe, Chaplain Aide, Assistant Patrol Leader, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He attended a High Adventure trip at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico in 2021. Greg is also an Ordeal member of the Order of the Arrow and was awarded a Scout of the Quarter Award.
Outside of scouting, Greg plays the Baritone in the Emmaus Band and is a member of the National Honors Society. He has spent time working in Guest Services at Dorney Park in Dorneyville and working in the snack bar at Brookside Country Club in Macungie. He enjoys playing the guitar and spending time with his family and friends.
Greg plans on studying Cellular Biology for four years after high school to earn his Bachelor’s Degree.
Eagle Project: Greg built a run-in shed at MountainView Horse Rescue in New Tripoli, PA. With the help of family members and some other members of the Troop, Greg planned and constructed a run-in shed that shelters donkeys, miniature horses, and goats from inclement weather.
Thank you to everyone who participated in honoring these scouts. Thank you to these five new Eagle Scouts for who they are and what they have done to prove themselves worthy of being an Eagle Scout.
