Letters to the Editor My name is Ronald J. Shopinski. I am a member of the Bobwhite patrol from the Wood Badge course NE V 106 88. It was quite an adventure back in 1988. The best part of the course was that it was a week long one held at my Susquehanna Council camp, KAROONDINHA. There are a few stories that I could relate. Each one FUNNY. I will never forget my instructors, especially our Scoutmaster. I am an Assistant Scoutmaster with BSA Troop 174, and I have 51 years in Scouting. — In Scouting & Brotherhood, Ron Shopinski
I will never forget... Mostly I just want to say thank you! Thank you all for your hard work and I can’t wait to receive my book. Please take the time to read this and I will try my best to make it worth your time! I would not be who I am today if it was not for the Scouting program and earning my Eagle Scout. My parents and leaders taught me patience, persistence, determination, desire, work ethic, trustworthiness and everything else a Scout should embody as outlined in the Scout Law. I hope to spend my life perfecting the embodiment of a motivated, effortlessly positive and successful giver. I was home schooled as a kid, and although it taught me the skills I use today in my work and conditioned me to excel in college, Scouting taught me countless principles of doing good for, connecting with, and enjoying other people. It also taught me to work at making myself better every day - to never settle for who I am and strive to be everything I know I can be–and help those around me do the same thing.
Andrew Patrick Henry
I started my own business at the age of 19, halfway through art school. It took me four years to get a two-year degree. I worked part-time at Chick-Fil-A until late at night, then I would go back home and either paint, draw, or do my homework– sometimes until three in the morning so I could go to Algebra at eight in the morning the same day. Ten dollars left for two weeks and ramen for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for awhile was no fun, but I graduated with a 4.0, Summa Cum Laude, a Phi Theta Kappa member, and through the Gordon State College Honors program. Career highlights so far have been working for small towns all over the U.S., Starbucks, the Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam, HBO, PRET in London, and countless great people all over the world who I hope I get to see and make happy again. I’m grateful for so much more than Ramen. I am twenty-five years old and hungry for the next step - something else Scouting taught me. Thank you all for your hard work and although I’m not sure if you even wanted to hear any of this I say all this Do you have an amazing Scouter story you would like to to illustrate how lost I would be without the principles that my share with Scouting Alumni and Friends? We want to hear parents and Scouting taught me. Love your neighbor, do a it! Send your story and pictures to bsaalumni@scouting. good turn daily, and be prepared to enjoy life. Thank you all for your effort and passion! — Best, Andrew Patrick Henry 5