Four Ontario Boy Scouts were honored Saturday for achieving the rank of Eagle, the highest rank in Scouting available to youths under the age of 18. The Scouts who earned the rank of Eagle are Bryan Diesenberg, Billy Remis, Ian Stead, and Bobby Young.

The Eagle ceremony took place at North Ontario United Methodist Church and was attended by fellow scouts, family members, friends, and town, scout and church representatives. The Scouts received personalized citations from Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senator Mike Nozzolio, President Barack Obama, and Rex Tillerson, president of the Boy Scouts of America.

Ontario Boy Scout Troop 127 has achieved a rate of 15 percent of its Scouts earning the rank of Eagle during the last four years, much higher than the national average of 6 percent.

“The troop’s rate is uncommon and it is very difficult to have a rate that high,” said Chris DiGiacomandrea, district executive of the Seneca Waterways Council, BSA. “It tells me first and foremost that the troop has strong, committed, and supportive leaders. Earning Eagle Scout requires a lot of dedication and hard work. The only way to get there is to have someone by your side when things get tough. It is also an award for the families, friends, and many others who helped the scouts attain this honor.”
The Scouts’ Eagle projects included organizing and building a canoe rack and picnic shelters at Casey Park, benches for the Ontario business area and Pines of Peace, and a food drive. Stead is attending the University of Rochester in pursuit of a degree in biology or environmental science. Remis is a senior at Wayne Central School District and plans to earn his degree in mechanical engineering technology. Young is attending Clarkson University where he is studying mechanical engineering, and Diesenberg is attending SUNY Fredonia where he is enrolled in the Visual Arts and New Media program.

“I’ve known these four young men since they first joined the Troop as young Webelos,” said Soren Lindahl who was their Scoutmaster throughout their time in Boy Scouts. “It is very gratifying to see the fine young men they have become and earn the rank of Eagle.”

Paul Diesenberg was Scout Committee Chairman during the period the boys were with Troop 127. He and Lindahl recently retired from their positions. Jason Gorton is now the Scoutmaster of Troop 127.