Local teens receive Eagle Scout awards </MCC HEAD>

Story last updated at 4:58 PM on Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Local teens receive Eagle Scout awards

Staff report

Five members of Boy Scout Troop 555 — Kyle Wentz, Kevin DeVaney, William Jasper, Matthew Jasper and Tyler Wentz — completed requirements to earn their Eagle Scout awards in 2009. Eagle Scout is Boy Scouts of America's highest rank.

Adam Bauer

Troop 555 2009 Eagle Scout Award recipients from left to right, Kyle Wentz, Kevin DeVaney, William Jasper, Mathew Jasper, Tyler Wentz.

The five scouts earned a minimum 21 merit badges, served in leadership positions within the troop and have completed major community service projects.

William Jasper, 18, now a student at Southern Oregon University, was honored at a ceremony in the spring.

His community service project was constructing trail signs for Kachemak Nordic Ski Club.

Matthew Jasper, 16, a Homer High School sophomore, was honored at a ceremony at the end of 2009. His project was building a kiosk for the Rogers Loop trailhead.

Kyle Wentz, Kevin DeVaney and Tyler Wentz will be honored at a ceremony at Alaska Islands and Ocean Visitor Center Jan. 31. The public is invited to attend.

Kyle Wentz, 15, an HHS sophomore, built two bridges on the Calvin and Coyle Nature Trail near Paul Banks Elementary, after raising all the money needed to build environmentally friendly bridges.

Kevin DeVaney, 15, another HHS sophomore, upgraded storage capabilities at Faith Christian Preschool. He also raised all the money needed to purchase four cabinets and additional shelving, supervised installation of the cabinets and the painting and construction of the shelves.

Tyler Wentz, 18, an HHS senior, lead two projects at St. John's Catholic Church.

He repainted a Pick N Pay trailer, as well as built and planted several flowerbeds after raising the money needed to complete both projects.