A special Eagle Scout Ceremony was held recently for six scouts from Boy Scout Troop 57 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church on Hwy 42 in Clayton. The scouts all climbed through the ranks together and all received their Eagle Scout during a joint ceremony on Memorial Day.
They includes scout Adam Brantley Morrison, William James Stumbar, Peyton McKinley Burr, Samuel Phillip Fernandez, Joseph Delton Blanchard III, and Andrew Stevan Mandic.
Adam Morrison
Adam Brantley Morrison is the son of Eric and Heather Morrison of Garner. He is a senior at Cleveland High School and graduated on May 31st.
Adam has spent the past years on the Cleveland Varsity High School wrestling team, lettered all 4 years, has been a member of the Boy Scouts of America since Tiger Cub, and is an active member at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, and a participant in the Youth Group for the past 6 years.
His current leadership position in Troop 57 of Clayton is Troop Guide. Major accomplishments during Scouting career are Arrow of Light, Order of the Arrow, Dive Masters award – Florida Sea Base 2018, attended National Jamboree 2017, accepted and attending World Jamboree 2019.
After high school, Adam plans on attending Catawba College under the Environmental & Sustainability program to earn a B.S. and potentially a Master’s Degree.
For his Eagle Scout project, Adam constructed a Chimney Swift Nesting Tower at Howell Woods Environmental Learning Center – a conservation project designed to provide essential nesting habitat for the native bird (Chimney Swift) who’s numbers have been declining due to natural habit loss and the human architecture changes away from open chimneys.
Adam has always naturally gravitated to the outdoors and adventure and the Scouting program has served to both fulfill and inspire him in that regards. Through Scouting, he has learned and continues to learn much about the importance of our place in protecting our natural environment for those who come after us. In addition, his father taught him ethical hunting and the importance of its place in conservation. His grandfather was a wildlife biologist and ecologist, retired from Washington State Department of Ecology. These connections and life experiences have holistically helped him to determine how he wants to extend those values as a career and in his life.
Samuel Fernandez
Samuel Phillip Fernandez is the son of Gray and Sarah Fernandez of Clayton. He is a senior at Cleveland High School and graduated on May 31st. Sam enjoys playing soccer and is an avid photographer. He is currently serving as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 57. During his Scouting career, Sam completed a trek to Philmont in 2015, a trek at Summit Bechtel Reserve in 2016, returned to Philmont in 2017 and served as a member of OA Trail Crew.
Sam also attended the 2017 National Scout Jamboree as a member of the Tuscarora Council Contingent. He attended the National Order of the Arrow Conference in 2018. He also attended BSA Winterfest in 2019 and is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Sam has held various chapter and lodge positions since his induction and is a ceremonialist. Sam is a BSA Lifeguard and has served on Camp Tuscarora summer camp staff since 2015.
He has earned the National Outdoor Award including all six of the emphasis segments. He earned the 50-miler award on 3 different occasions and is a 2016 National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) graduate and will be attending National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience (NAYLE) at Philmont, New Mexico this summer.
Sam will be attending East Carolina University this fall and will be majoring in Business Marketing.
Sam designed and installed a prayer garden for the parishioners of St. Ann’s Catholic Church in Clayton for his Eagle Scout project.
Joseph Blanchard III
Joseph Delton Blanchard III is the son of Delton and Melissa Blanchard of Garner. He has 2 younger sisters and a younger brother.
Joseph was active in Troop 57 serving as Troop Guide, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader. He also served as Den Chief for his brothers Den. He attended the 2017 National Jamboree and Florida Sea Base in 2018.
Joseph’s Eagle Project was a memorial flag/landscape area for Greater Cleveland Athletic Association (GCAA). He landscaped and designed a hardscape area that the GCAA board can use to honor or memorialize individuals and families.
He is a member of the Order of the Arrow Brotherhood at Naywin Rar Lodge and is also a part of Venture Crew 24. He enjoys playing recreational soccer and ran distance track the last couple of years. In high school, he has been involved with the Key Club, FFA, National Honor Society and is graduating Summa Cum Laude
Joseph graduated from Cleveland High on May 31st. In August, he will be attending NC State University majoring in Mechanical Engineering.
Andrew Mandic
Andrew Stevan Mandic the son of Peter and Kim Mandic of Clayton. He graduated high school last month where he was a member of the National Honor Society.
Andrew plans to attend Johnston Community College to obtain an Associate of Engineering degree and transfer to NC State to complete his education and get a bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
His last leadership role in the Troop 57 of Clayton was Troop Guide.
During his Scouting career, Andrew has done many different things. Among his accomplishments are becoming an Eagle Scout, being a member of the Order of the Arrow, going to the National Jamboree, and completing NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training).
For his Eagle Scout project, Andrew designed and constructed two sets of horseshoe pits, a sandbox, and garbage bin holders for the Wilson’s Mills Town Park.
William (Liam) Stumbar
William James (Liam) Stumbar of Garner is the son of Sindry Cosgrove and Pete Stumbar.
Liam graduated from Cleveland High School on May 31st. William enjoys soccer and playing guitar. He is currently a Troop Guide with Troop 57 of Clayton.
During his scouting career, he has been active in his Troop, was part of the Council delegation to the 2017 Jamboree, and was honored to attend both Summit and Florida Sea Base high Adventure Camps.
He completed his Brotherhood in the Order of the Arrow and is NYLT trained. He plans to continue his scouting career as a Jr. Scoutmaster and as a Venture Scout with Crew 24.
Liam plans to attend NC State University in the fall to study Engineering.
For his Eagle Project, he managed a project to build two T-Ball fields for the GCAA.
Peyton Burr
Peyton McKinley Burr is the son of Ed and Heather Burr of Garner.
Peyton graduated on May 31st from Cleveland High School. He has participated in the Marching Band and Concert Band all four years at Cleveland High.
He has committed to Western Carolina University where he will study Emergency Management.
Peyton recently passed his EMT class and will be taking the state test in a few days. He volunteers at Cleveland Fire Department and also works at 50-210 EMS.
Peyton has served in several roles in Troop 57 including Senior Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He completed NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) and went on to teach other Scouts.
He is a member of the Brotherhood and joined The Order of the Arrow. He has served as a Camp Tuscarora medic for 2 years.
For his Eagle Scout project, Peyton created a worn flag depository and installed it at the Cleveland Fire Department where local residents can drop off old battered American Flags to be properly retired.
All six scouts received an Eagle Scout Good Citizenship Award from the Johnston County Marine Corps League.
