Area Scouts honored for Eagle Rank

LIMA — The Black Swamp Area Council of Scouting America honored 76 new Eagle Scouts at its annual Eagle Scout & Youth Recognition Banquet held at the UNOH Event Center in Lima. The event celebrated the Class of 2025 — the young people who achieved Scouting's highest rank, an honor earned by only about 4% of all Scouts. Mayor Mike McCann of Defiance served as Master of Ceremonies, opening the program following a color guard presentation by the National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) staff and an invocation by Lynne McKenzie, Voice Women's Ministries Director. The evening featured remarks from Keynote Speaker Taylor Dietsch, 2024 NMRA Open Comp World Champion, NHRA Factory Stock Showdown driver, business leader, and Eagle Scout from Edgerton, Ohio. Dietsch spoke about perseverance, leadership, and the impact Scouting had on his development—both on and off the track. Council Commissioner & Eagle Scout Tom Masterson led the formal introduction of the 2025 Eagle Scout Class, as each Scout crossed the stage to be recognized and to receive their Eagle Council Shoulder Patch. The program concluded with the Eagle Scout Oath, led by Class Representative Vondrell, and a final benediction. The Eagle Scout rank represents years of dedication, leadership development, and community service. In total, Eagle Scouts across the Black Swamp Area Council contributed thousands of service hours in 2025 through their Eagle Scout Service Projects. "This year's class represents the very best in youth leadership," said Masterson. "Although they come from different communities and backgrounds, they will share the title of Eagle Scout for the rest of their lives, once an Eagle Scout always an Eagle Scout." Area Scouts who were recognized include: Troop 221: Ryan Verhoff Troop 224: Andrew Ormsby, Gavyn Pester, Izaak Pester, William Schroeder, Tucker Sunderhaus, Colt Warnimont, Gage Wilhelm, Brayden Wolke Troop 225: Chase Proctor Troop 229: Logan Schroeder Troop 302: Piercen Brooks, Cooper Coughlin, Camaron Morris Troop 304: James Hedrick, John Paul Cap Troop 308: Jack Holtgreven Troop 312: Timothy Haines, Ryan Hudson, Hayden Martin, Jacob Schieltz Troop 314: Marc Depuy Troop 318: Lucas Hartzell, Mitchell Hartzell, Calvin Willow Troop 319: Luke Casselmn Troop 322: Tyler Gonder, Mayank Guggillam, Simon Marchal