Local Scout Wins Eagle Project of the Year

A local Eagle Scout has earned a top honor for his work at Newtown Veteran's Park.

Ryan Varian, a member of Troop 99, has been selected by the Boy Scouts Bucks County Council as the winner of the 2011 Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project of the Year award.

Varian’s work at the park, which included installation of a wall and flagpoles, was chosen out of more than 200 Eagle Scout projects completed in Bucks County during 2011.

Working with the American Legion Morrell Smith Post #440, Varian secured donors to sponsor the individual flagpoles honoring the service branches and held several fundraisers to cover the expenses associated with his materials. 

“I chose this project because men and women work hard everyday to keep our country safe. Many of them live in this area. I wanted to give them the thanks and appreciation they deserve,” the Eagle Scout said. 

The work at Veteran’s Park was not the first time the Council Rock North junior chose a volunteer project to benefit veterans. In 2008, he raised funds for and installed an AED at the American Legion’s Newtown Lodge.

“We were all impressed with not only the size and scope of the project,” said Larry Regosch, who was one of the project reviewers. “The workmanship was outstanding. It was nicely funded and we were impressed by his choice to honor veterans. It’s a fine project.”