Ryan Kristopher Burdick
Ryan Kristopher Burdick of Taylor has attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
Family: Son of Ken and Kelly Burdick.
School/community: Senior honor student at Scranton Preparatory School; plans to study chemistry in college and law post graduate.
Scouting history: Wolf and Bear Cub Scout with Old Forge Cub Scout Pack 98; transferred to Duryea Cub Scout Pack 375 as Webelos Scout; received Arrow of Light; member of the Eagle Patrol of Duryea Troop 285; earned 35 merit badges, member of the Order of the Mow; held the positions of Historian and Eagle Patrol Leader; serves as Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.
Eagle project: Restored wooden stairway leading into Taylor Memorial Cemetery with the help of his troop and under the guidance of Shawn Murphy of the Taylor Historical Society, removed weeds and debris, power-washed and weather-proofed the stairway then refilled it with trail dust; also snipped, power-washed and weather-proofed several benches throughout the cemetery.
Ceremony: Duryea Troop 285 Eagle Scout Reception; received his Eagle rank from NEPA Council with the commutative Eagle Scout Rank Badge honoring the 100th anniversary of the Eagle Scout.
John Ferrara
John Ferrara has been awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor of the Boy Scouts of America.
Family: Son of D.J. and Kelly Ferrara, who have supported him during his entire Scouting career.
Scouting history: His Scouting career started in Cub Scouts. He is a member Boy Scout Troop 11, sponsored by the Embury United Methodist Church in Scranton. He has earned 21 merit badges and has held various leadership positions within the troop, including Senior Patrol Leader.
Eagle project: He organized and executed the repair of the fence in the St. John the Baptist section of Cathedral Cemetery.
School/community: He is a junior at West Scranton High School, where he is a member of the school's marching and concert bands. Upon graduation from high school in 2014, he plans to attend college to earn degrees in history and education in the hopes of becoming a history teacher.