Holt recognized during Eagle Court of Honor
Years of hard work paid off Sunday for a Marion youth when he was named an Eagle Scout during a ceremony at St. John Nepomucene Church in Pilsen.
Andrew G. Holt received the highest honor awarded to a member of the Boy Scouts of America during a 45-minute ceremony attended by a large number of family, friends, and guests.
The son of Terry and Ann Holt, Andrew is a member of Marion Troop No. 102.
For his Eagle project, Holt conducted a cleanup project at Marion Reservoir on March 27, 1999. He coordinated 95 people who volunteered 178 man-hours picking up 2 1/2 tons of trash along 32 miles of shoreline.
Holt's Eagle Board of Review was held March 19, 2002. He has attained 50 merit badges, and bronze, gold, and silver palms, according to information provided at the ceremony.
Jackie Palic, who served as master of ceremonies, said Andy was always willing to do more than his share of the work no matter what the situation. She noted his perseverance, and courage were assets which served him well.
Palic recalled an outing where scouts found a girl hanging on to a tree branch in a creek. The girl had been inner-tubing and the tube floated away, leaving her stranded.
"Andy jumped into the creek. The water was running swift and she couldn't get her feet back under her," Palic said. "Andy helped her get back to shore."
Palic recalled another situation where the scouts were required to carve their initials in a 20-pound rock. If sandstone is used it carves easily, but breaks easily. If limestone is used, it is harder to carve, but can also break. "We usually have a debris pile of rock next to camp," she said, as the audience laughed.
It was late at night and Andy was diligently working on carving his rock when it broke. Andy ran out into the woods, found another rock, and began work anew. His work was finished by the following day when it needed to be turned in.
"That rock shows Andy's perseverance and strength," Palic said. "Andy has the strength to overcome anything and achieve the goals he sets for himself."
Doug Dick said he was Andy's sixth grade teacher, and had known Holt about seven years. Dick said Andy was "pretty average as sixth graders go," but in some ways was more mature than other children his age.
"Andy had character and attitude far beyond a sixth grader," Dick said. "He took what he did seriously. As teachers, he's what we'd like students to be more like.
Dick noted that Andy would not participate when his peers were "picking on" other children and even stood up for the individual who was the target of the taunts.
"He had a moral maturity that was far beyond his years. It gained him respect among his peers and classmates.
Phoebe Janzen said she has known Andy since he was a "little pink baby," and had numerous opportunities to work with him over the years.
She said many outstanding men in the United States had their start as Eagle Scouts, and named several of those individuals including astronauts Neil Armstrong and Jim Lovell. Janzen complimented Holt on his courage and strength.
"Andy, you've had to use courage to overcome the physical and mental challenges you've experienced over the last few years," Janzen said.
Father Steve Gronert of Holy Family Parish said he had been the Holts' pastor for about seven years and referred to a book by Gayle Sayers, former University of Kansas and Chicago Bears football player, titled "I Am Third."
The book refers to the fact that Sayers considered his priorities in life to be: number one, God; number two, other people; and number three, self.
Speaking of Andy's attainment of the Eagle Scout rank, Gronert said, he's been "struggling with ill health which makes his accomplishment seem even more impressive."
The Eagle Team, composed of men who also attained the rank of Eagle Scout, presented the Eagle Award. The Eagle Team included the Honorable Mike Powers, Eugene Enos, Daryl Enos, and Brice Goebel. Brad Williams assisted.
Powers said there were four points on the Scout compass, which represent the four guideposts to scouting: Duty to God, duty to country, duty to others, and duty to self.
After Andy recited the scout oath, he received the Eagle Scout certificate of award. Andy's father and mother also participated in the ceremony.
The ceremony also included a solo by Mary Griffith singing, "On Eagle's Wings," presentation of the flags by a Color Guard from Troop 102, a solo, "On My Honor" by Bob Brookens, and concluded with Griffith leading group singing of "America," accompanied by organist Wanda Williams.
Special gratitude also was extended to Duane Kirkpatrick who served as Holt's scout master and assistant scout master.
