Eagle Scout Honors For Lakewood Young Adult

John Uchaker, son of John (Eagle Scout 1988) and Beth Uchaker, and brother to Ava, Eleanor and Jude, attained the rank of Eagle Scout in 2019 and will be honored by his Troop during a celebration to be held in March 2020.

John started his Scouting Career at the age of seven progressing through Cub Scouts earning the ranks of Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light and the Catholic Youth religious awards: Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei (Little Children of God). 

For John, the Trail to Eagle continued as he crossed over to Boy Scouts. While a Boy Scout John progressed quickly through the ranks of Scout, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life. As he enjoyed being a Scout, the path to Eagle took an additional four years. During his years of Scouting, John’s natural leadership ability was enhanced by successfully completing Troop Leadership Training (TLT) and National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). He later implemented the techniques learned by serving in leadership roles within his Troop including Senior Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Den Chief, Chaplin Aide and Librarian. He also held the position of Vice Chief, Order of the Arrow, Erielhonan Lodge as well as a member of the lodge’s Ceremony Team.

John served as the Council Junior Popcorn Kernel (2012), Grand Canyon Council and as the Scout Days Scout Ambassador (2013), Grand Canyon Council. The Greater Cleveland Council (Lake Erie Council) invited John to represent the Council on a 2015 Academic Challenge episode, with an on air appearance reading the question “Today’s Boy Scouts can earn Merit Badges in a variety of areas, ranging from computers and nuclear energy to cinematography and what “G”-initialed science, that studies the physical structure of the Earth?” [Answer: Geology]

John took advantage of the numerous outdoor opportunities presented to him through the years. He joined the camp staff at Camp Raymond (2015), Grand Canyon Council and Beaumont Scout Reservation (2017), Greater Cleveland Council. He trekked through Philmont Scout Ranch (2016) while acting as his Crew’s Wilderness Guide, Philmont Crew 717-O 2. He also attended the National Scout Jamboree (2017) in the role of Senior Patrol Leader, Troop 2420, Greater Cleveland Council.

Do you know what it takes to be in the top of popcorn sales as a Scout? John does! “Do not stop with a no and always ask one more person after yes.” John earned Top Seller status four consecutive years (2010-2013) across three different Boy Scout Councils.

John, along with his family, were recognized as the Scouting Family of the Year (2012) Grand Canyon Council, Four Peaks District for their dedication to and service within the Boy Scout movement.

As a Boy Scout, his duty to God was demonstrated by earning the Philmont Duty to God award (2012, 2016) and Messengers of Peace Award (2017) as awarded by the World Organization of the Scout Movement. The Messengers of Peace is a global initiative designed to inspire millions of young men and women in more than 220 countries and territories to work toward peace.

In 2018, the Boy Scouts of America National Court of Honor presented John with a National Certificate of Merit in recognition of performance of a significant act of service by providing wilderness first aid and is credited with saving his dad’s life after a hiking accident in the backcountry near Christopher Creek Box Canyon (Payson, Arizona).

Making his way to Eagle Scout was challenging. Along the way, like most Scouts, John met and overcame numerous obstacles with the help of his encouraging leaders and adults, peers, supportive family and parents who provided him the opportunity to achieve on his terms. He is pleased to have met so many amazing people that have knowingly or unknowingly assisted him along this journey. These people have made John stronger and a better young man. “Eagle Scout is an amazing achievement” and he is honored to have earned it.

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Volume 16, Issue 6, Posted 11:01 AM, 04.02.2020