Latest news with #EagleScout
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Joe Gedeon to replace Republican Gene Ward in Hawaii House
Democratic Gov. Josh Green has named Republican Joe Gedeon to succeed the late Republican Rep. Gene Ward to represent Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley. Green picked Gedeon out of a list of three potential replacements sent to him by a panel of Hawaii Republican Party members in Ward's district. Gedeon will become the ninth Republican in the 51-member state House. He will serve until Ward's seat comes up for reelection in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. In an announcement from Green's office about Gedeon's appointment, Gedeon said, 'Gene was a family friend, a mentor and a lifelong example of integrity and public service. His legacy in Hawai 'i Kai is profound and I hope to carry forward the values he championed : community, accountability and unwavering commitment to the people he served.' Gedeon was born and raised in Hawaii Kai, was an Eagle Scout, graduated from Henry J. Kaiser High School, Kapiolani Community College and ITT Technical Institute in San Diego. He co-founded the marketing and advertising companies JPG Hawaii and JPG Media. He was the youngest president of the Waikiki Rotary Club from 2016 to 2017 and serves on the board of directors of the American Advertising Federation of Hawaii and the Central YMCA. In a statement, Green said 'I appreciate the willingness of Joe Gedeon and the other nominees to step up and work hard to fill the huge void left by such a lifelong and passionate public servant as Gene Ward. We believe one human being cannot truly replace another, but we hope as Gene's successor, Joe will bring the same caring dedication that made his predecessor so valuable to his community.' Ward had served in the House for 27 years. This year, health issues kept Ward away from the Capitol for much of the legislative session. On March 21, Ward announced his resignation effective March 31. He died April 4 at the age of 82. As East Honolulu Republicans narrowed the search for his replacement, the Republican Party said in a statement that the process to fill a seat in Hawaii's Legislature vacated by a Republican had not occurred in over 60 years. The Hawaii Republican Party welcomed the appointment. 'We are confident Joe will bring energy, integrity, and innovative thinking to the State Legislature, ' newly elected Hawaii Republican Party State Chair Art Hannemann said in a statement. 'He represents a new generation of Republican leadership—grounded in local values, equipped with real-world experience, and ready to fight for Hawaii's future.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Gedeon to replace Republican Gene Ward
Democratic Gov. Josh Green has named Republican Joe Gedeon to succeed the late Republican Rep. Gene Ward to represent Hawaii Kai-Kalama Valley. Green picked Gedeon out of a list of three potential replacements sent to him by a panel of Hawaii Republican Party members in Ward's district. Gedeon will become the ninth Republican in the 51-member state House. He will serve until Ward's seat comes up for reelection in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. In an announcement from Green's office about Gedeon's appointment, Gedeon said, 'Gene was a family friend, a mentor and a lifelong example of integrity and public service. His legacy in Hawai 'i Kai is profound and I hope to carry forward the values he championed : community, accountability and unwavering commitment to the people he served.' Gedeon was born and raised in Hawaii Kai, was an Eagle Scout, graduated from Henry J. Kaiser High School, Kapiolani Community College and ITT Technical Institute in San Diego. He co-founded the marketing and advertising companies JPG Hawaii and JPG Media. He was the youngest president of the Waikiki Rotary Club from 2016 to 2017 and serves on the board of directors of the American Advertising Federation of Hawaii and the Central YMCA. In a statement, Green said 'I appreciate the willingness of Joe Gedeon and the other nominees to step up and work hard to fill the huge void left by such a lifelong and passionate public servant as Gene Ward. We believe one human being cannot truly replace another, but we hope as Gene's successor, Joe will bring the same caring dedication that made his predecessor so valuable to his community.' Ward had served in the House for 27 years. This year, health issues kept Ward away from the Capitol for much of the legislative session. On March 21, Ward announced his resignation effective March 31. He died April 4 at the age of 82. As East Honolulu Republicans narrowed the search for his replacement, the Republican Party said in a statement that the process to fill a seat in Hawaii's Legislature vacated by a Republican had not occurred in over 60 years.
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Big Rock teen's love of chess on display at Community Park
When Nathan Schlachter of Big Rock was looking for inspiration to complete his service project for Eagle Scout, he turned to one of his own skill sets and started thinking in a much bigger way. The 17-year-old, described by people as an ace chess player, wanted others to enjoy the game on a much bigger scale, which led to the member of Scout Troop 71 based in Plano developing a huge chess board with pieces folks could use in Big Rock Community Park. 'I got interested in chess back in middle school and joined the chess team and from there, I was only a little bit involved in it,' Nathan said. 'Then COVID hit, and I skipped my eighth-grade year and was advanced a year. When I got back into high school (Hinckley-Big Rock High School), I dove back into chess with one of the stronger players on the middle school team. We formed a chess team in high school my sophomore year, which really got me back into playing.' The project, he said, was influenced by seeing a lot of giant chess boards while attending Scout summer camps. 'I thought it would be a great addition to the Big Rock park because a lot of stuff to do there is often physical,' he said. 'There are people who are more academically inclined than physical sports, and I figured it's a way for them to get just as much enjoyment out of the park as someone who might be playing baseball or soccer.' The project, from initial discussion to final construction, took nearly two years. The chess board itself was installed on Aug. 17 last year with the help of about a half dozen Scouts and included assistance from local Schollmeyer Landscaping, which donated materials and labor. Nathan's mother Jennifer Smith said her son began showing an interest in Scouting 'as early as first grade.' 'I was their Cub Scout den leader and he wanted to try new things you don't learn in school,' she said about her son. 'He stayed with it and Nathan tried a lot of troops and found that Plano had the most activities – not just book work and boring learning and he just kept going. He made a commitment and he was going to see it through. He wanted to finish this before he graduated.' She is not surprised Nathan stayed with Scouts through the rank of Eagle but that both of them 'were surprised at what a process becoming an Eagle is.' 'People think it's just a project but they don't know the hours of paperwork and meetings and fundraising. There is so much more that goes into that project. People think when you do that you've got your Eagle finished,' she said. 'Nathan probably started this at least a year and a half ago and there are like three phases before you can even start your project.' Nathan agrees that 'the toughest part was just pushing myself to do it.' 'A lot of it is paperwork and navigating bureaucracy and waiting on people. Having the will to get it done and really wanting to get it to fruition I think is the most challenging part,' he said. Smith reflected on her son having created a sort of public entertainment option that will likely impact hundreds of people moving forward and said she feels a great sense of pride. 'I'm very proud of him and I'm glad that he finished it up as it was something he really wanted to do,' she said. 'I was excited for him because chess for him is one of his biggest passions and something he could relate to. It was something he really wanted to do.' Ron Wentzell of Oswego, scout executive and CEO for Three Fires Council, said there is an impressive number of Eagle Scout projects completed each year. 'I feel a sense of pride every time we have an Eagle Scout finish a project in the community. In the Three Fires Council, we'll have between 250 and 300 Eagle Scouts each year and they'll complete over 40,000 hours of community service each year with just the Eagle projects,' Wentzell said. 'There is definite pride in our kids and they do some amazing things and some amazing projects that really connect us to the community and build awareness about Scouting.' Nathan says being in Scouts has 'helped me become a leader and meet new people.' 'My school is really small so I know everyone by grade and going to Scout camp every summer is about meeting new people I have to introduce myself to and get to know,' he said. 'As far as this project and its future, for me, it's a great feeling knowing I've given back to the community where I grew up the past 17 years.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Boy Scout honors family legacy and serves community with Eagle Scout project
SINKING VALLEY, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Boy Scout is honoring his family's legacy and serving his community through his Eagle Scout project. Blake Riddle is a Boy Scout with Troop 3015 in Blair County. He had high hopes for his project to earn the rank of Eagle Scout: Create a park in honor of his great aunt Helen Riddle. 'I figured what better way to honor her and to also achieve my Eagle Scout by doing this project,' Riddle said. It was a huge undertaking, and one he was not sure about taking on at first. 'My question to him was, 'Is it going to benefit the community?' Because that's what your Eagle Scout project's supposed to do,' Troop 3015 Scoutmaster Donald Irvin Jr. said. Eleven cats rescued from Altoona barbershop Riddle knew his project would benefit the community, but that did not make the task any easier. He had to plan out the project, work with his local government to get permission to change the landscape and, of course, put in a lot of elbow grease. The end result: 2,000 ft of fully blazed trail 5 benches ADA accessible picnic table Multiple navigational signs The benches have names engraved of members of the Riddle family who have passed on. According to Irvin, Riddle has grown up throughout the over-year-long process. 'I could see there was a big change in him,' Irvin said. Riddle's next step is to become a naval officer. He is currently under review for the Naval Academy and wants to major in mechanical engineering. Whether it is his country or his own community, his future is sure to be blazed with service in visit the Helen M. Riddle Memorial Park, go to McMullen Road in Sinking Valley, then the destination will be on the left. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Aspiring Eagle Scout renovates Midstate Veterans Park
(WHTM) — Dozens lined up the streets surrounding Boiling Springs Veterans Park in Cumberland County Sunday for their annual Memorial Day parade. In the parade there were Veterans, emergency vehicles, and performances by local school marching bands. 'It's just a lot of work and you got to push through,' said Bennett Rudge, a middle school drummer. Memorial service held at Fort Indiantown Gap What's a lot of work for Rudge isn't necessarily the school, but his Eagle Scout project. 'Eagle is the highest rank in scouts, and it gives me a patch and it's also the highest honor,' he explained. 'So, after I finish the paperwork, I'll get to go do a special ceremony, Eagle ceremony.' Rudge told abc27 News he started his project about a year ago. 'Well, first I had to install lights and painted and sand down the gun [statue],' he said. 'And then I made a sign over there that we've installed just like a few days ago.' He had no shortage of help either. 'Really a community effort of all sorts of different people,' said his dad, Brian Rudge. 'Maybe 10 or 12 scouts, sisters and brothers, cousins, neighbors. He really didn't want to screw things up, you know, as far as, like, some of the little historical markings and things. So, trying to find the right people, even some he one of the days there were some people called in sick and some of the neighbors just rallied together and like, hey, can anyone come help out?' It's been a busy year for Rudge – and his helpers – balancing this project with school and other activities. His dad – who was also an Eagle Scout, says he is proud of his son. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices 'He's done a great job,' he said. 'Really, with all of his scouting career and all the things he does. But this is a special moment where he could just put some of the skills and energy and excitement that he has into something that can benefit the community.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
