Ryan Smith, son of Scott Smith and Cindy Dominguez of Chester, has achieved Boy Scouting’s highest rank, that of Eagle Scout.
He reached his goal of Eagle onFeb. 20 and received his Eagle badge during a court of honor ceremony on June 2 at the Chester Area Senior Housing facility in Chester, the site where he completed his Eagle Scout service project.
To earn the award, a Scout must be active with and assume a position of leadership in a troop, earn a minimum of 21 merit badges and complete a service project that benefits the community. The ceremony was attended by Chester Township Mayor Marcia Asdal, Chester Borough Mayor Janet Hoven and Congressman
Leonard Lance.
Smith began his scouting career as a Tiger Cub with Pack 121 in Bentonville, Ark., and continued through Cub Scouting to achieve its highest award, the Arrow of Light.
In 2011, Smith moved to New Jersey with his family and joined Troop 139 in Chester. Since that time, Smith has held a number of leadership positions including den chief, troop historian and librarian. He has earned 33 merit badges and in 2017 served as patrol leader while attending the Boy Scout National Jamboree in West
Virginia.
For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Smith wanted to help the residents of the Chester Area Senior Housing facility stay better connected with their family and friends. He raised the money that went to the purchase and placement of two iPads and stands and educated the residents at C.A.S.H. on how to use both Skype and
Facetime. Under his direction, both scouts and adult volunteers helped complete the project that took nearly 90 man-hours.
Smith is a recent graduate of West Morris Mendham High School and will be attending High Point University as a communication major this fall. Smith is an active member of St. Lawrence the Martyr Catholic Church in Chester, where he has devoted many volunteer hours to support its summer vacation bible school, Peer Servant Team and Barn Ministry.
Troop 139 has been active in the Chester community for more than 50 years and meets every Monday at7:30 p.m. in the Community Presbyterian Church in Chester. New members are welcome.