Troop 21

Ian Wang became Troop 21’s latest Eagle Scout on June 29. Ian’s project, which he managed to finish before the coronavirus shutdown, was the renovation of the track team’s storage facility at South Pasadena High School. Ian completed his Eagle Board of Review via Zoom that included former ASM Brian Allin, the father of T21 Eagle Scout Kema Allin. Congratulations!

Even though our meetings are virtual, Troop 21 continued with its summertime tradition of Merit Badge Mondays. This year’s offerings included Game Design, Digital Technology, Genealogy, Photography, Pets, Mammal Study and Chemistry. Chemistry was led by our recent Eagle Scout Nico Symons-Galassi, who will be studying chemistry this fall at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Troop 21 was all set for adventure, with trips planned to Philmont, Cherry Valley, Camp Big Horn and the Sierras between May and August. Thanks to the Coronavirus, all those were canceled. But it wasn’t a completely bummer summer. In addition to attending virtual merit badge classes around the country, T21 joined Scouts from the Greater Los Angeles Area Council and the Western Los Angeles Council for “camp-ins” on May 2 and June 26.

Some Scouts managed to find real campsites…

Some pitched tents and hammocks in their yards…

And others made epic forts in their homes.

Troop 21 Scout Kevin Young had the troop’s very first virtual Eagle Board of Review on June 25, which included former T21 Scoutmaster Dwight Equitz. Kevin is the 160th Eagle for Troop 21. His Eagle Scout project was landscaping the front of Webster Elementary School in Pasadena. Congratulations!

Congratulations to our new Senior Patrol Leader, Joseph Sitzman, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Noah Gutierrez. The troop would like to thank our previous SPL, Zacky Culver, and ASPL, Lucas Errico, for their leadership.

The Patrols will be led by:
Challenge Accepted PL: Ian Ng/APL: Cade Garlett
Flaming Phoenix PL: Marina Symons-Galassi
The Marksmen PL: Theo Sitzman/APL: Devin Bäumle
Neon Dragons PL: Alex Cronin/APL: Chris Ortega
Robo-Sharks PL: Oliver Cowing/APL: Julian Guerrero
The Underground PL: Joe Cooper/APL: Evan Wilson
Toxic Platypus PL: Peter Symons-Galassi/APL: Griffin Folgate

The rest of the troop leaders include:
Troop Guide: Adrianna Bäumle
Librarian: Anton Potts
Historian: Emma Anderson
Webmaster: Annelise Errico
Outdoor Ethics Guide: Marco Georgian

Ben Cronin is working on becoming an Eagle Scout. His project was to rebuild an outdoor model train track at the Travel Town Train Museum. The original track was run down and in disrepair, so he decided to rebuild the track to be more durable in the outdoors and just to get it back up and running again.

From a Bear to an Eagle: Congratulations to Maxwell Johnson for reaching the rank of Eagle Scout! Every scout’s journey is unique and we hope yours was filled with many fun memories.

Nico Symons-Galassi became an Eagle Scout on March 9, 2020. He is the first Eagle in Troop 21 with both a brother AND a sister in the troop, and both his parents happen to be merit badge counselors and ASMs. For his Eagle project, Nico led a team of scouts in a science day at the Boys and Girls Club. Great job, Nico!

Troop 21 spent Presidents’ weekend at Camp Pollack at Hubert Eaton Scout Reservation in Lake Arrowhead. The Scouts had a great time showing off skills in survival, scouting, archery, shooting, slingshot and so much more. After 2-days and 17 events, Troop 21 came out on top and took first place. Way to go T21!

Joshua Gamboa passed his Eagle Board on February 3rd and is Troop 21’s 157th Eagle Scout. He continues to be a great mentor to the younger scouts.

Miles Jackson passed his Eagle board on Dec 2nd and is Troop 21’s 156th Eagle Scout.