Three West Pittston residents become Eagle Scouts

WEST PITTSTON — West Pittston Boy Scout Troop 352 added three more Eagles Scouts to its repertoire, bringing the total of Eagle Scouts to 113 since 1921.

Andrew Baylor, Matthew Martin and Eric Whyte, all residents of the borough, fulfilled duties to earn them the honor of Eagle Scout . The three were honored at a ceremony at the First United Methodist Church, West Pittston.

Baylor, 18, son of Charlie and Amy Baylor, has been a Scout since he was 6 years old and is currently a freshman at Penn College of Technology. His Eagle Scout project consisted of cleaning the Methodist Church basement.

Martin, 18, is in his first year at Johnson College. He chose to clean the entire stretch of railroad bedding in West Pittston. He is the son of Ed and Diane Martin.

Whyte, 18, son of Bill and Karen Whyte, is a freshman at Penn State. He has been Scouting for six years. He constructed portable benches at Frances Slocum Park to earn his Eagle Scout pin.

Martin feels he has gained discipline and leadership qualities from being a Scout.

“That’s the main focus on being an Eagle Scout,” he said. Martin plans to continue to be involved with Scouting and being as active as possible.

Whyte believes being in Scouts has also given him leadership skills. “

I’ve gained a lot of knowledge out of Scouts,” he said, indicating he would like to stay active with the troop and possibly be a troop leader in the future.

Baylor agrees with his fellow Scouts on what he has gained by being a Scout.

“I would like to work for PennDOT after I get my degree in Civil Engineering and use my leadership skill moving forward,” he said.

Troop 352 Scoutmaster Ryan Foy, also an Eagle Scou, has been working with the newly inducted Eagle Scouts for many years and is impressed with all three.

“I’ve watched them grow from young boys to young men and all of them have exhibited really good leadership qualities that I think will, in the future, be a benefit to their communities after their schooling,” Foy said.

According the Foy, the goal of Scouts is to be a good leader and citizen for the rest of their life.

Each inductee received a proclamation from the PA House of Representatives presented by Rep. Aaron Kaufer, PA State Sen. John Yudicak, West Pittston Mayor Tom Blaskiewicz, West Pittston Council, presented by Councilwoman Judy Aita, Luzerne County Council presented by Councilwoman Linda Houck.

A reception was held afterwards where light refreshments were served.

Matthew Martin, left, Eric Whyte, center, and Andrew Baylor hold proclamation and citations from the PA State Senate, House of Representatives and the Borough of West Pittston. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Scouts-5.jpgMatthew Martin, left, Eric Whyte, center, and Andrew Baylor hold proclamation and citations from the PA State Senate, House of Representatives and the Borough of West Pittston. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Eagle Scout candidates from West Pittston Troop 352 lead the Scout Pledge including former Scouts in the audience. Front row, left to right: Eric Whyte, Andrew Baylor, Matthew Martin. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Scouts1.jpgEagle Scout candidates from West Pittston Troop 352 lead the Scout Pledge including former Scouts in the audience. Front row, left to right: Eric Whyte, Andrew Baylor, Matthew Martin. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Rev. James Thyren and Eagle Scout himself was a featured speaker during the ceremony. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Scouts2.jpgRev. James Thyren and Eagle Scout himself was a featured speaker during the ceremony. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Karen Whyte does the honor of placing the Eagle pin on her son, Eric, with his father Bill looking on. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Scouts3.jpgKaren Whyte does the honor of placing the Eagle pin on her son, Eric, with his father Bill looking on. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

West Pittston Troop 352 newly inducted Eagle Scouts stand with their parents, left to right: Diane, Matthew, Ed Martin; Amy, Andrew, Charlie Baylor; Karen, Eric, Bill Whyte. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Scouts4.jpgWest Pittston Troop 352 newly inducted Eagle Scouts stand with their parents, left to right: Diane, Matthew, Ed Martin; Amy, Andrew, Charlie Baylor; Karen, Eric, Bill Whyte. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Eagle Scout candidates from West Pittston Troop 352 lead the Scout Pledge including former Scouts in the audience. Front row, left to right: Eric Whyte, Andrew Baylor, Matthew Martin. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Scouts1.CMYK_.jpgEagle Scout candidates from West Pittston Troop 352 lead the Scout Pledge including former Scouts in the audience. Front row, left to right: Eric Whyte, Andrew Baylor, Matthew Martin. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Rev. James Thyren and Eagle Scout himself was a featured speaker during the ceremony. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Scouts2.CMYK_.jpgRev. James Thyren and Eagle Scout himself was a featured speaker during the ceremony. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Karen Whyte does the honor of placing the Eagle pin on her son, Eric, with his father Bill looking on. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Scouts3.CMYK_.jpgKaren Whyte does the honor of placing the Eagle pin on her son, Eric, with his father Bill looking on. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

West Pittston Troop 352 newly inducted Eagle Scouts stand with their parents, left to right: Diane, Matthew, Ed Martin; Amy, Andrew, Charlie Baylor; Karen, Eric, Bill Whyte. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Scouts4.CMYK_.jpgWest Pittston Troop 352 newly inducted Eagle Scouts stand with their parents, left to right: Diane, Matthew, Ed Martin; Amy, Andrew, Charlie Baylor; Karen, Eric, Bill Whyte. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Matthew Martin, left, Eric Whyte, center, and Andrew Baylor hold proclamation and citations from the PA State Senate, House of Representatives and the Borough of West Pittston. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/web1_Scouts5CMYK.jpgMatthew Martin, left, Eric Whyte, center, and Andrew Baylor hold proclamation and citations from the PA State Senate, House of Representatives and the Borough of West Pittston. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch