Boy Scout Troop 113 in Alexandria awarded the rank of Eagle Scout to Michael Nolan and Chester Gore at a Court of Honor ceremony held Oct. 18, at the Trinity United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall.
Michael is the 57th and Chester the 58th Scout from Troop 113 to be awarded the rank of Eagle. The Troop is sponsored by the Trinity United Methodist Church, and its minister, the Reverend Scott Davis, is also an Eagle Scout. The ceremony was presided over by Master of Ceremonies and Assistant Scoutmaster Derek Walker, and by Scoutmaster Bob Williams. Linda Hill, Cubmaster of Pack 614 convened the Court of Honor on behalf of the Boy Scouts. Also participating in the ceremony were three of the Troop’s previous Scoutmasters, Steve Jacobson, Pete Farnham and Dave Lacey.
Michael’s Eagle leadership project was coordinated with Deborah Brown Anderson, Volunteer Coordinator of the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks and Cultural Affairs. Under Michael’s leadership, the roofs of both dugouts at the Four Mile Run baseball field behind Cora Kelly School were repaired and reshingled.
For Chester’s Eagle leadership project, he worked with Terry Brown, then Activities Director at J.E.B. Stuart High School. Under Chester’s leadership, a newly designed watering trough was installed at the Stuart football field so football players could stay hydrated during football camps and practices. The completed project also eliminated the significant water erosion at the previous watering site.
Both projects included challenges, from developing the ideas for the projects, seeking various approvals, and obtaining donations of building materials, to coordinating the work of many volunteers. Both Michael and Chester were assisted by adult Troop leaders, city and high school officials and workers, Boy Scouts, Venture Scouts, team mates, and friends.
MICHAEL STARTED in the Scouting program as a Tiger Cub in 1995, and advanced through the Cub Scouts, earning the Arrow of Light award from Pack 614 before crossing over to Troop 113 in 1999. He was active in Troop 113, earning 37 merit badges, and the BSA Lifeguard certification. He served as Troop Quartermaster and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster and is a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. Michael attended the 2001 National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, the Philmont High Adventure Camp in 2003 near Cimarron, N.M., and with Venture Crew 1575 of Alexandria, the Grand Tetons High Adventure Camp near Jackson Hole, Wyo., in 2004.
A senior at Bishop Ireton High School, Michael is a member of the National Honor Society and the Alliance for Haiti Club. He plays on the Bishop Ireton varsity baseball team and the American Legion Post 129 baseball team. He works part time as a lifeguard at the Chinquapin Recreation Center. He is a member of the Blessed Sacrament Church. Michael is the son of Diane DePalma and Boyce Nolan. He has two sisters, Laura and Marin Nolan.
CHESTER STARTED in Scouting as a Boy Scout in 2000 with Troop 113, and advanced though the ranks of Scouting, including outstanding service as Bugler, Senior Patrol Leader and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He earned 26 merit badges, and received Scouting’s Impeesa advanced leadership training at the Goshen Scout Reservation. Chester is also a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow. He attended Philmont High Adventure Camp in 2003, and summer camps at the Goshen and Rodney Scout Reservations.
Also a senior, Chester attends J.E.B. Stuart High School where he is captain of the varsity football and wrestling teams, as well as a member of the lacrosse team. He plays trumpet in the school band. He is an officer in the fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Republican Club and the Asian Society. He attends The Falls Church where he teaches Sunday School. Chester is the son of Suzanne Scholte and Chadwick Gore and has two bothers, Christian and James Gore.