North Anson-Scout Earns Eagle Award

North Anson Scout Earns Eagle Award

NORTH ANSON – The 1st Congregational Church of North Anson was alive with activity on Saturday, December 16 as family, friends, and fellow Scouts joined to witness the pinning of Scouting’s highest rank on Devyn Deleonardis.

Devyn is the son of Frederick and Amanda Deleonardis and lives in North Anson where he attends Carrabec High School.

He will be turning 18 in January and his time as a youth member of Scouting will come to a close. It is fitting that he received the Eagle Scout award before becoming an adult leader with Troop 481. Devyn is no stranger to leadership. As part of his Eagle Scout project, he led others in building and distributing little lending libraries to five area communities. In Scout Troop 481, Devyn has served as Senior Patrol Leader and Chaplain Aide. “Some ways that I have demonstrated leadership skills other than my Eagle project, Community Libraries, are when I taught the clove hitch knot to guests at the Community Literacy event; helped Solon Elementary School’s field day event by teaching the students a game and led them through it as they played; and when I wrote and gave a speech for the position of Student Council member.”

Devyn chose to have his Eagle Scout ceremony at his church because of his strong personal faith. “I believe that my life purpose,” he explained in his Life Ambition Statement that was presented along with his Eagle Scout application, “is to spread the news of Jesus, to follow him, and to help others any way that I can.” During the ceremony, Devyn presented Mentor Pins to two of his Scout leaders, his parents and to Pastor Dave Walz. Pastor Walz praised Scouting during the ceremony saying, “Bless the Scouts and bless all who seek to serve and be servants to others.”

Devyn received congratulatory notes from the members of Maine’s Congressional Delegation, State Representative Larry Dunphy and the Boy Scouts of America. Alfred McKay, Commander of the American Legion Department of Maine, presented Devyn with an actual Eagle feather. The Legion had to receive official permission from the US Fish and Wildlife Service to present the feather as the Eagle is a protected species. In fact, both bald eagles and golden eagles are protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Devyn plans to attend the University of Maine Farmington next Fall and study to become a teacher.

American Legion Department of Maine Commander Alfred McKay presented Devyn with an American Bald Eagle feather following receiving permission from US Fish and Wildlife Services.

Amanda Deleonardis pinning the Eagle Scout medal on her son’s uniform.

Devyn Deleonardis

Pastor Dave Walz of the North Anson 1st Congregational Church opened and closed the ceremony with prayers and was presented with a mentor pin by Devyn.