SAN GABRIEL VALLEYWIDE NEWS
Winston Chua

A Boy Scout Rarity a Family Affair
ALHAMBRA - Considering that just 4 percent of all Boy Scouts make their way to become Eagles Scouts, finding a couple of them in the same troop is rare. When six boys from the same troop each become Eagle Scouts, that is something.

Ryan Chan, Edmund Kwan, Tony Messina-Doerning, Andrew Castro, Ted Balfour and Patrick Foster made up six of the members of Troop 333, which on Saturday received recognition at the Eagle Court of Honor in the main sanctuary with the stained-glass windows and religious figures at the Holy Family Catholic Church in South Pasadena.

“I look back on becoming and Eagle Scout and it’s one of the greatest things a boy of 18 years can achieve,” said Eagle advisor Michael Placido, brother of Mayor Stephen T. Placido. Both are proud Eagle Scouts.

“It’s a lot of hard work, dedication, goal setting and planning. Boys may not appreciate what they’ve accomplished until later.”

Eagle Scouts have to fulfill more than 300 requirements and pass through six ranks. Some requirements take as much as 90 days to complete, perhaps longer.

Tony Messina-Doerning’s grandmother is Alhambra Councilwoman Barbara Messina, who, along with Mayor Placido, commended each of the six boys on their accomplishments. Tom Placido, 15, who led the pledge of allegiance, is the Michael’s son and one step away from becoming an Eagle himself.
Ryan’s Eagle Project was to install an irrigation system in a garden area at the McKinley Children’s Center in San Dimas. The Center helps at-risk men and children who have lived through extreme trauma.

He said, “I believe that my journey with this troop is not defined by my merit accomplishments but by the friendships I have formed.”

Andrew Castro, who earned 30 merit badges and restored natural plant species in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation area, said, “I think scouting made me a much better person and I thank everyone who helped and supported me along the way.”

Edmund Kwan’s project consisted of building a sandbox and sprinkler system for St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, to benefit the Children’s Sunday School program at St. Gabriel’s Church. In total, about 127 man hours were recorded with the help of 15 people.

Tad Balfour helped build a new permanent computer lab for the Saint Francis Homeless Center in downtown Los Angeles. He helped raise enough money to build a new wall with a window for eight computer stations and new monitors. The lab will help children who cannot afford a computer lab at home. He said, “I would like to thank my parents who have stood behind me since day one. They never let me quit.”

Tony Messina-Doerning’s project took place at Camp Ta Ta Pochon, a camping facility in the San Bernardino Mountains and run by the San Gabriel Valley YMCA. He restored a run-down chapel by securing donations to pay not only for his project but to donate money to YMCA’s youth.

Patrick Foster’s project took place on Hope Street at the St. Francis Center in downtown. He and others built a large dividing structure with shelves to offer a more effective use of space for the Center’s after school program. The large shelves now hold children’s backpacks, clothing and blankets for homeless people. He thanked his parents saying, “They inspired and helped me in countless situations and in many different ways.”