Luke Barckholtz and Adam Sinagra, both members of Stanton Troop 1969, have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Barckholtz and Sinagra received the award in a Court of Honor ceremony held at America’s Grow-a-Row Valley Crest Farm & Preserve on Saturday, Oct. 17.
Sinagra started in scouting as a Tiger Scout in Readington Cub Scout Pack 1980 in 2008. He earned Cub Scout’s highest award, the Arrow of Light in 2013 and bridged over to Stanton Troop 1969. Sinagra served as troop as patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, troop guide, and junior assistant Scoutmaster. He also served as a den chief to his former Cub Scout Pack and earned the Den Chief Service Award.
While in scouting, Sinagra camped more than 70 nights in a tent, including 12 nights of backpacking at the BSA National High-Adventure Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. He also embarked on a five-night sailing adventure at the BSA National High-Adventure Sea Base in the Florida Keys. On his path to Eagle, Sinagra earned 38 merit badges, attaining a Bronze, Gold, and Silver Palm Award, and was elected to the Order of the Arrow.
For his Eagle Scout Service project, Sinagra restored a historic cemetery at Whitehouse United Methodist Church. He and his fellow Scouts fixed cracked and misaligned headstones; cleared overgrowth of plants; cleared headstones to improve legibility; procured and replaced Veteran grave markers; and improved the ledger system.
He graduated from Hunterdon Central Regional High School in 2020 and is currently studying Environmental Engineering at Temple University.
Barckholtz started as a Tiger Scout in Cub Scout Pack 1513 in Fairfax, Virginia, in 2008. A year later, he moved to Readington and joined Cub Scout Pack 1980. After earning his Arrow of Light Award in 2013, Barckholtz crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 1969. He served as a den chief to his former Cub Scout Pack and earned the Den Chief Service Award. In his troop, Luke also demonstrated leadership through the positions of troop scribe, webmaster, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, and junior assistant Scoutmaster.
Barckholtz’s outdoor experiences include camping more than 70 nights in a tent and a five-night sailing adventure at the BSA National High-Adventure Sea Base in the Florida Keys, which later inspired him to earn the aquatic merit badges Canoeing, Kayaking, Rowing, and Small Boat Sailing. On his trek to Eagle, he earned a total of 38 Merit Badges, and was awarded the Bronze, Gold, and Silver Palm Award.
For his Eagle Scout project, Barckholtz created a series of healthy recipe tutorials for America’s Grow-a-Row so that those who receive their produce can see how to make healthy breakfast, lunch, snacks, or dinner items with fresh produce. To achieve this goal, he planned and led fellow Scouts in constructing and filming recipe videos. He first constructed a set with lightboxes, then filmed numerous recipes, and edited the videos. These videos are now posted on America’s Grow-a-Row YouTube channel.
Barckholtz graduated from Hunterdon Central Regional High School in 2020 and is currently studying Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institution.
Stanton Troop 1969 is chartered by the Stanton Reformed Church in Readington. To learn more about Troop 1969, go to www.stanton1969.mytroop.us.
