This is sign of Scout's effort

It takes leadership, initiative and imagination to earn an Eagle Scout Badge -- and Peter Kudrewicz, 18, has all that and more.

He's in the running for valedictorian of his graduating class at Herkimer High School, quarterback for its football team and pitcher for the baseball team, and a member of the student council.

Outside of school, one of his deepest passions has been Scouting.

Parish life

"I've been a Boy Scout since I was little, probably fifth grade," Peter told The Evangelist. "When I was 16, our troop leaders started talking to us about earning the Eagle Scout Badge," the highest merit badge awarded to a Boy Scout.

"Part of [my decision for] going for that badge was because I knew that, by the time I turned 18, I'd earn all 21 required badges. I figured, why leave something unfinished? The Eagle Scout Badge was do-able."

Peter's Boy Scout Troop is based at St. Francis de Sales parish in Herkimer. He attended grade school there and was an altar server.

He and his family are parishioners of St. Anthony/St. Joseph Church, also in Herkimer. Peter has been an altar server and Eucharistic minister there as well as a member of the Youth Ministry board.

Sign of faith

For his Eagle Scout project, Peter got the idea to replace the sign for the parish offices at St. Anthony/St. Joseph because people had trouble reading it.

"I thought that replacing the sign might make a good project, one that was challenging but not impossible to do," he explained. He spoke to the pastor, Rev. Anthony Ligato, "about what kind of sign would be appropriate."

He also asked fellow Scouts, his father and his younger brother Kenny to help.

"Several of the guys in my troop were going for their Eagle Scout Badge, too, so I asked them to help me complete mine," Peter noted. "That way, we could help each other with each project. It worked out great for all of us: We've all earned the Eagle Scout."

Design time

When he considered the design for the sign, Peter said, "I didn't want to make this just another sign. I wanted it to be unique and serve the purpose."

He also had to decide on the site and dimensions of the sign. He contacted a sign dealer who helped him with the design and recommended materials.

Other companies donated materials; still others gave him a significant discount once they learned the nature of the project.

What's next?

Now that the experience is behind him, Peter is looking towards his future as either an engineering or computer science major in college.

"Earning the badge gives you skills that you will always be able to use," he said, "especially how to deal with people in a business environment. It was very good for me."

(2/8/07) [[In-content Ad]]