LOOK INSIDE
Look Inside
Promoting the voice of our Community April 9th, 2013
For Alderm an John A. Po pe’s Column www.facebook.com/ontnews
Issue 5 / Vol.6
Cub Scouts Pack 773 hold yearly Blue & Gold Banquet
By Vanessa Villarreal Vvillarreal@ontnews.com
On April 7, the Cub Scout motto “Do Your Best” was in full force at the Cub Scouts’ Pack 773 yearly Blue & Gold Banquet at Annunciata School. Cubmaster, Joe Cordero, spoke about his 12-year involvement with the Scouts while greeting families and preparing the room for an afternoon of food, fun and awards. “I got into Scouting because of my two sons, Jason and Jordan,” Cordero said. “They started with the Tigers when they were in first grade with this Pack - #773.” And, he said, back then there were only six boys in the Scouts. This year, there are 41. “We have a good group of people,” Cordero said. “This banquet is special because it’s the end-of-the year awards. We go by school year.” Cordero recruits for the Cub Scouts in September by going to different classrooms at different schools. He said talking to the boys directly about the Cub Scouts is important to him. One Annunciata School student, Keoni Montero, took home one of Cordero’s scouting pamphlets last fall and the rest
is Scout history. Keoni’s parents, Ines and Juan Montero, signed Keoni up for the Scouts in September and, today, he’s being promoted from the Tigers to the Wolves. The Cub Scouts are called Packs and each Den has a name: first graders are in the Tigers; second graders are in the Wolves; third graders are in the Bears; fourth graders are in Webelos I; and fifth graders are in Webelos II. After that, it’s on to the Boy Scouts. “I love the Scouts because it shows the boys independence, team work and discipline,” Keoni’s mom, Ines Montero, said. “As busy as I am, I support the Scouts and what they do 100 percent. If I care, my kids will also care and say, ‘Wow. My mom makes time for that.’ Plus, a lot of the activities are educational and healthy. A plus in my book.” So far this year, the Scouts have sponsored about 35 events such as a day camp, cookie decorating with seniors, Boy Scout Road cleanup and hiking at Eggers Woods. For each event, the Scouts earn patches. “Because of these Scouting events, we’ve been to so many beautiful places,” Ines said. “Places I didn’t even know existed in our area.”
Ines said she especially loves the
family nights that are held once a month. There, her younger son, Kawieli, gets to hear about what his brother does. Kawieli also participates in the things that Keoni does with his Pack. This year alone, not only did Keoni hike a total of 13 miles— but so did four-year-old Kawieli—and he’s not even in the Cub Scouts yet. “Kawieli is excited about joining the Scouts this fall,” says Ines. “And he loves all of the activities just like Keoni does.
Cub Scouts Pack 773 recite the Pledge of Allegiance after posting colors.
Plus, their dad was a Scout when he was growing up. So, our boys are following in his footsteps. As a family, we participate in the Scouts’ activities together. It’s fun for all of us—that’s for sure.” Cordero said that boys from 1st grade to 5th grade can join the Cub Scouts any time during the year. The yearly Pack fee is $40 and at the monthly meetings, dues are $1. For more information about the Cub Scouts, call Cordero at (219) 473-
At left, Lisa Sowa-Downs, den leader for Webelos packs I & II, reads off Kawieli Montero’s (at right) 13-mile hike award while Cubmaster Joe Cordero prepares for the next batch of awards.
BANNER FOOD & LIQUOR 9240.
106TH & EWING • 773-721-9393
Domestic & Import Beer Wine & Liquor
OPEN LATE 7 DAYS