Monrovia Troop 66 Confers Five Eagle Scouts on September 11th, 2023

Monrovia, California: September 11th, 2023 is a day that will always live in infamy for all Americans, but this past week it has taken on a new meaning and memory for five families from Monrovia Troop 66. Guided by Emcee Former Scoutmaster Mark D. Peters, and Scoutmaster William Wysock; Eagle Scouts Willem Robert Aponno, Guillermo “Memo” Cordoba, Gabriel Nikolas Fierro, Degas Miguel Peters, and James Rangel Vierra reached one of the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honors and were conveyed as Eagle Scouts this day by The Honorable Michael Haubner. The Scout Families hosted an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony at Look Cinema in Monrovia, California, celebrating their remarkable achievement.

In Scouting the Eagle stands for strength of character and for knowledge of all phases of Scouting. The Eagle represents an understanding of community and nation and a deep respect for the same. The Eagle is a symbol of what these five young men have done as well as what they will do and will be. The Eagle Scout is a leader. The Eagle Scout is respected, both by his peers and by his adult leaders.

Earning the title of Eagle Scout is a challenging path, known for its rigorous demands on Scouts, testing them physically, mentally, and morally. It is a distinction reserved only for those who have shown unwavering dedication to personal growth and service to others.

The five Eagle Scouts join the ranks of over 2.5 million youth who have earned the coveted Eagle Scout title, marking their readiness to assume leadership roles and exemplify responsibility, honor, and a commitment to positive change within their communities.

Not every boy, nor every Scout, qualifies for the high rank of Eagle.

1. The physical requirements are strenuous, as set forth in the required merit badges.

2. Mental requirements are unusual and require much more than average intelligence.

3. Perhaps an even more difficult and more important requirement for the Eagle rank is the personal character of the Scout as reflected in his right attitudes toward God and the ideals of Scouting, as reflected in his cooperation and service to others in church, the home, school, and community. The applicant must have a high degree of the spirit of cheerful service to others which is a basis of good citizenship.

4. To attain Eagle Scout rank, a Scout must earn at least 22 merit badges fulfilling requirements in the areas of leadership, service, and outdoor life skills. Only 4 percent of Boy Scouts achieve this prestigious recognition, after planning and executing an extensive community-related service Eagle Project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and funds.

The Boy Scouts of America stands for a set of principles. These principles have a lot of staying power. The values you learn as a Scout are like a compass. They can help you find your way through difficult and sometimes unchartered terrain. The principles of Scouting give you a sense of what's important.

Troop 66 Committee Chair and mother to Eagle Scout Willem Aponno, Rhonda Aponno stated “This Eagle Court of Honor was a momentous occasion with pride and joy. The hard work and dedication required to reach this point, not only by the Scout but by those who supported their journey, was a long-anticipated honor. I couldn't be happier to see these five young men reach this pinnacle achievement. I expect to see great things from these Eagle Scouts and I will truly miss not being a part of their next adventure.”

Monrovia’s Mayor, Becky Shevlin, presented and awarded the Presidential Volunteer Service Award (PVSA) to Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 66, William Martin Wysock, “Buggy” to those who are close to him, Eagle Scouts Willem Robert Aponno, James Rangel Vierra, and Degas Miguel Peters. These upstanding young men received from Mayor Shevlin for their distinction, a PVSA pin to wear upon their Scout uniform, a certificate of achievement signed by the President of the United States, and a congratulatory letter from the President of the United States along with a medal that Mayor Shevlin hung around each Scouts neck.

The Presidential Volunteer Service Award is a prestigious national honor that highlights the Scouts’ commitment to strengthening and serving their community and their nation. These Scouts earned this coveted award by dedicating a combined 610 hours of their time and passion to serving Veterans and the American Legion for the City of Monrovia. Our Scouts, with Monrovia Troop 66, join President Biden’s Council on Service and Civic Participation to deliver The President’s Volunteer Service Award. This is a highly coveted national award that recognizes their outstanding volunteer service and civic participation. The President’s Volunteer Service Award is the premier volunteer awards program, encouraging citizens and scouts to live a life of service through presidential gratitude and national recognition. Recipients earning this Award may be showcased on college applications to show their life of service.

Our special guests and speakers in attendance tonight made the evening even more special for our Scouts, speakers included:

Monrovia Mayor, Becky Shevlin; Presenting the Presidential Volunteer Service Award

Former Monrovia Mayor and Sea Scout, Tom Adams; Honorary Speaker

Monrovia Police Chief, Alan Sanvictores; Special Certificate Presentation

Monrovia Fire Chief, Jeremy Sanchez; Special Certificate Presentation

Pastor, Patrick Mesisca; Invocation and Guest Speaker

8th Degree Black Belt & Founder of American Kenpo Concepts

International, Protégé of the late Ed Parker, Tommy Chavies; Guest Speaker

And Co-Founder of Troop 66, The Honorable Michael Haubner

Scoutmaster William Z. Wysock, Scoutmaster for Monrovia Troop 66

Eagle Scout Degas Miguel Peters, Calling of the Colors and Voice of the Eagle

Pasadena Scottish Pipes & Drums Bagpiper Justin Celek

Monrovia Troop 66 Scout Adam Celek; Pledge of Allegiance

Monrovia Troop 66 Scout Jack Fitzgibbons; Benediction Prayer

Troop 66 Treasurer, Diana Peters and Mother to Eagle Scout James Rangel Vierra states “I am the lucky one! Seeing each scout’s journey to trail to Eagle was a blessing and a privilege. Gentlemen, remember to always be a servant leader and I wish you God’s blessings on your future adventures.”

The Five Eagle Scouts:

• Willem Robert Aponno: Billion Graves Project. The project involved expanding the genealogical database of the Billion Graves Project by over 15,000 genealogical records, assisting genealogical researchers, including individuals, professionals, and societies. As volunteers took photographs of each grave marker with a specialized app, each photo location was geotagged and plotted on a map to enable researchers to find the marker in the future. This index will link to end-user family tree resources. Additionally, we provided grave site clean-up to deteriorated areas.
• Guillermo “Memo” Cordoba: Church Bench Renovation. Parishioner and Eagle Scout Guillermo Cordoba chose as his Eagle Scout Project to completely rebuild and renew the benches that line the "J" rooms at St. Anthony Parish Church.
• Gabriel Nikolas Fierro: Project Flagbearer is an ambitious initiative I have undertaken as part of my journey to become an Eagle Scout. The project focuses on educating our community about flag etiquette and retirement procedures, while also providing a dedicated flag retirement box. Through this project, I aim to raise awareness about the importance of honoring and respecting the American flag. Additionally, I plan to lead the retirement of approximately 200 worn American flags, ensuring their proper and dignified disposal. With the support of the community and generous contributions, we can restore an existing flag retirement box, and expedite the flag retirement process. Ultimately, "Project Flagbearer" aims to foster a deeper sense of patriotism and appreciation for our nation's symbols.
• Degas Miguel Peters: Project Abbie (Abandoned Kitties)! The goal would be the building of Community Cat Shelters for cats to be placed after TNR: Trap, Neuter, and Release, and for Momma kitties to give birth and provide shelter for their kittens, or any other cats who just want somewhere nice and cozy to rest. This project is very close to my heart. My Grammy LaWana’s kitty, Ms. Abbie was born about 8 years ago to a feral Momma cat. Personally, I have witnessed the death of animals. The worst ones affecting me the most have been those with cats. Currently, I live with six rescued cats and have a deep fondness for them and would never want to see them suffer. Working with a shelter with a high focus on Feral Cat Communities brings me a great sense of accomplishment that I am helping my community.
• James Rangel Vierra: Monrovia Canyon Veteran’s Memorial Rehabilitation. The memorial is within Monrovia Canyon Park and was installed decades ago, but the site had been long forgotten. The Bobcat fires uncovered the Memorial, and it was completely an utter mess. So, with the help of my Troop, I answered the call, and it became my Eagle Scout Project. The project was personal for me. My Stepdad, Mark Peters, and Grandfather, SGT. Daneil Rangel are veterans. I would like to thank the City of Monrovia for trusting this amazing project to me, a 7th grader. I feel like I learned a lot and was able to be a good servant leader. I will treasure this experience forever and I am so happy my Grandfather was able to be by my side for this project. I want to thank my parents, Mark and Diana Peters for never giving up on me.

Current Scoutmaster for Monrovia Troop 66 William Z. Wysock shares “This Eagle Court of Honor was truly special. Not only did we recognize 5 individual Scouts as achieving Scouting's highest rank, but I'm happy to say that in each instance, the immense amount of work, time, and effort each Scout and their family put in has undoubtedly benefited our community.

Eagle projects take many forms. The projects our, now, Eagle Scouts chose could not be more different or unique. One thing, however, remains the same: it's an exercise in utilizing and applying all the skills they have learned up to this point. It's where the rubber meets the road!

As Scoutmaster of Troop 66, this journey has been indescribably special.

During the ceremony, I was honored to receive two Mentor pins. These are given at the discretion of the Eagle Scout to those individuals they feel have helped guide them on their Scouting journey. When Eagle Scout and former SPL Degas Peters, son of Mark Peters, founder of Troop 66, asked me to step forward and receive this honor- I was beyond humbled. Had I an opportunity to speak at that time I would have explained how grateful I am to HIM for teaching me how to guide our Troop when I, myself, was uncertain and how HIS leadership helped me be the best version of myself - because that's exactly what our youth deserve and exactly why Scouting is important. Degas, you sir, deserve that pin as well!

It's an honor and privilege second only to my being a father of 3, to be part of this Troop family and to go on this journey together. I can't wait to see what great heights our Eagles achieve next!"

As the former Scoutmaster for Troop 66, having been a part of these young men’s lives, most from Cub Scouts, all from Boy Scouts and some from Sea Scouts;

Willem Robert Aponno: Monrovia Pack 66, Monrovia Troop 66 and Sea Scout Ship Sea Wolf 566

Guillermo Cordoba: South El Monte Pack & Troop 531, Monrovia Troop 66

Gabriel Nikolas Fierro: Monrovia Troop 66, Sea Scout Ship Sea Wolf 566, Sea Scout Ship, Poseidon 2021, and Post 558 Infantry Explorers

Degas Miguel Peters: El Monte Pack 551, Monrovia Pack 66, Monrovia Troop 66, Sea Scout Ship, Conquest, Sea Scout Ship Sea Wolf 566 and Sea Scout Ship Poseidon 2021

James Rangel Vierra: Monrovia Pack 66, and Monrovia Troop 66

All have shown one element that is not spoken about when it comes to attaining the rank of Eagle, it is about GRIT. Setting goals and having the GRIT to stay focused on achieving them. Only about 4% of all Scouts go on to become Eagle Scouts. It is an elite status with rigorous and well-maintained standards. To achieve the rank, you must set out on that path at a very early age in order to meet the deadline of 17 years old (not yet 18). To me the most amazing and therefore most admirable fact is quite simple. The Eagle Scouts are not special – in fact, they are exactly like every single other Scout. With one, small, critical difference: GRIT. They set and achieved goals and had the persistence and discipline to stay on the path where so many others fail and 96% fall short.

Gentlemen, I want to congratulate you all for not falling short and being persistent. I am extraordinarily proud of you all and what you have become, now it’s time to show the world who you are and what you can do with your Eagle Scout rank. I will leave you with the infamous words of a true Eagle Scout Legend, Mike Rowe “So I’m not going to assume you’re any different or pretend that I have some influence or insight that you haven’t already heard from a dozen other people who actually know and care about you. I’ll just tell you straight up, that doing something extraordinary can be very lonely, and most people simply aren’t cut out for it. Being an Eagle Scout requires you to be different than most everyone around you, and being different is really, really hard. That’s why the award is called “an accomplishment. Don’t wait for the world to acknowledge your accomplishments. When you’re finished with Scouting, donate your uniform to The Salvation Army. In a few years, it’s not gonna fit anyway. Fold up your sash and stow it away somewhere private, along with all the other tokens of what you’ve done so far. Then, roll up your sleeves, get out in the world, and put what you’ve learned to use.”