News : Scouts Matt Lash, Andrew Sampson achieve Eagle Scout honor

Scouts help Matt Lash with his Eagle Scout project, with landscaping and a new bench.

Matt Lash's Eagle Scout project included a new entry at the Animal Shelter.

Andrew Sampson with help from Scouts and his family, made a wildlife viewing blind at Nature Center.

Two Vinton boys recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting. Matthew Lash and Andrew Sampson, both 17, were told of the award after their Eagle Scout Boards of Review in Cedar Rapids on October 17.

To earn the award, each boy was required to advance through the first five ranks in Boy Scouting, earn a minimum of 21 Merit Badges, serve in several leadership positions within their Troop, and perform community service, culminating in a major service project benefitting the community.

For their projects, Andrew led construction of a wildlife viewing blind at the Benton County Nature Center near Rodgers Park in rural Vinton, and Matthew directed the installation of a new entryway, office steps, flag pole, and reflection garden with path for the Benton County Animal Shelter, also in rural Vinton.

The boys have also participated in several high adventure trips to destinations such as the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Superior National Forest, Minnesota, The Indian Peaks Wilderness in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee.

The award is the pinnacle of an eleven-year Scouting career for the boys who began on the very same day in the fall of 2002 as first-graders at a Tiger Cub Scout Den meeting. Both boys are Seniors at Vinton-Shellsburg High School. They are are the sons of Jay and Michele Lash and Gregg and Debbie Sampson, all of Vinton