Troop 267 gathered in December to celebrate the achievements of its Scouts at the Court of Honor ceremony.

With a warm potluck dinner to kick off the event, Committee Chairperson Todd Proffitt welcomed the group and introduced the night’s events. The ceremony included a Flag Ceremony, Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath and Law, and an opening prayer led by Troop Chaplain Walt Sedlmayer. The Master of Ceremonies, Senior Patrol Leader Natasha Kemp, guided the evening with grace as she introduced various segments of the program.

Proffitt reviewed troop policies and shared important announcements before Scoutmaster Joe Mueller and SPL Natasha Kemp took the stage to present awards to the Scouts for their remarkable accomplishments.

Rank Advancements

From left, Joe Mueller, Carrie Mueller and Todd Proffitt.

A highlight of the evening was the recognition of several Scouts who had achieved new ranks in Scouting:

— Tenderfoot: Tommy Shaw

— 2nd Class: Tanner Damon, Kam Johnson, Liadan Quinn

— 1st Class: Ben O’Dell

— Star: Tyler Field, Owen Lukach, Max Kropp

Merit Badge Awards

In addition to rank advancements, many Scouts were recognized for their dedication to earning merit badges across a variety of subjects:

— Nathan Balch: Dentistry, Plumbing

— Aaron Cook: Camping, Citizenship in Society, Citizenship in World, Plumbing

— Ryan Cook: Communication, Dentistry, Plumbing

— Tyler Field: Citizenship in Nation, Citizenship in Society, Citizenship in World

— Henry Hegna: Chemistry

— Kam Johnson: Digital Technology, Fingerprinting

— Max Kropp: Bird Study, Citizenship in Society, Personal Fitness

— Owen Lukach: Citizenship in Nation, Citizenship in World

— Zachary Maguire: Family Life, Personal Management

— Ralph Mueller: American Heritage, Digital Technology, Gardening, Theater

— Ben O’Dell: Citizenship in World, Soil & Water Conservation, Traffic Safety

— Liadan Quinn: Citizenship in Nation, Citizenship in Society, Fingerprinting

— Thomas Shaw: Citizenship in the World, Digital Technology, Gardening, Weather

— Ben Spengler: Camping, Citizenship in Nation, Communication, Fingerprinting

— Eli Williams: Citizenship in the World, Plumbing, Space Exploration

Other Notable Achievements

Several Scouts and adult leaders received recognition for their exceptional contributions to Troop 267’s activities:

— Camp Merz Troop Campout Patch: Awarded to Jethduan Cordova-Olmo, Bella Crowell, Tyler Field, Nathan Kelly, Tasha Kemp, Owen Lukach, Zachary Maguire, Liam McMurray, Ralph Mueller, Ben O’Dell, Liadan Quinn, Thomas Shaw, Ben Spengler, and Patrick Whitcher.

— Monster Mash Patch: Awarded to Finn Johnson, Kam Johnson, Ralph Mueller, Liadan Quinn, and Leaders CarrieAnn Mueller and Erika Valentine.

— Jambo on the Air Participant: Finn Johnson, Ralphie Mueller, Liadan Quinn.

— Horseman’s Foley, 3rd Place: Troop 267 at the Monster Mash, Camp Merz.

— Frankenstein Search Party, 2nd Place: Troop 267 at the Monster Mash, Camp Merz.

Service Stars were awarded to Scouts and adults who reached significant milestones in their years of service: Scouts:

— 1 Year: Ben O’Dell

— 2 Years: Ralphie Mueller

— 4 Years: Henry Hegna

Adults:

— 1 Year: Holly Field, Hayden Bush

— 2 Years: Melissa Balch

— 3 Years: Joseph Bowers

— 4 Years: Dustin Lukach

— 5 Years: Becky Schaefer

— 6 Years: Jim Stenger

— 22 Years: Walt Sedlmayer

— 42 Years: Chris Eichmann

Recognition of Outgoing Officers

The troop also took time to honor outgoing officers for their leadership and commitment:

— Troop Quartermasters: Aaron Cook, Ralphie Mueller

— Troop Scribe: Ryan Cook

— Troop Historian/Librarian: Tyler Field

— Troop Guides: Max Kropp, Nathan Balch

— Outdoor Ethics Guide: Charlie Cinque

— Webmaster: Ben O’Dell

— OA Troop Representative: Cooper Stenger

— Patrol Leaders (PL): Kam Johnson (Nuclear Grannies), Owen Lukach (Blue Dragons), Henry Hegna (Wild Tanks), Charlie Cinque (Older Scouts Patrol), Liadan Quinn (Athena)

— Assistant Senior Patrol Leaders: Jethduan Cordova-Olmo, Ben Spengler

— Senior Patrol Leaders: Adam Lukach, Natasha Kemp

Upcoming Activities

Troop 267’s calendar is packed with exciting upcoming events:

— Feb. 4 — AOL Crossover Ceremony, American Legion, 6:30 p.m.

— March 18 — Court of Honor, American Legion, 6:00 p.m.

Troop 267 took a moment to recognize Proffitt for his extraordinary service to Scouting at the December Court of Honor.

Scoutmaster Joe Mueller invited Proffitt to the front, where he was applauded for his leadership to the troop from 2020 to 2024, and contributions as a Scout parent since 2018.

Proffitt’s dedication to Scouting has been steadfast and unwavering, impacting the lives of many Scouts and their families over the past four years.

His leadership was particularly crucial during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, where he helped the troop transition to virtual Zoom meetings. Additionally, he oversaw a significant website overhaul, improving communication and outreach for the troop. Todd’s service to Troop 267 spans a wide variety of roles, each contributing to the troop’s success.

Most recently, as a Committee Chairperson and Scoutmaster, Proffitt played an instrumental role in overseeing troop operations, ensuring a well-organized and smooth program for all members. His work as a liaison between the troop and the larger Scouting community helped elevate the Troop’s reputation and build stronger relationships with the greater Scouting family. As a Committee Secretary, he supported the overall planning and execution of troop activities, from logistics to fundraising efforts. Proffitt’s tenure saw a significant increase in parent involvement, helping to create a stronger sense of community within the troop.

His leadership efforts helped ensure that families were engaged and supported in their Scouting journey. His most recent accomplishment included a collaborative role in leading Troop 267’s transition into a combined boys and girls troop, an important milestone in the troop’s evolution. As Proffitt’s local leadership tenure comes to a close, Troop 267 announced that Holly Field will assume the role of Committee Chairperson beginning in January 2025. “We’re fortunate to continue benefiting from Proffitt’s contributions to scouting as he begins a council leadership role as President,” the group acknowledged.

In recognition of Proffitt’s many years of service, Scoutmasters Joe and Carrie Mueller presented him with a plaque as a token of the troop’s deep gratitude. The night concluded with a closing Flag Ceremony, and Todd Proffitt offered final remarks before the event came to a close.

The ceremony was a wonderful opportunity for the troop to come together, celebrate the accomplishments of the Scouts, and express gratitude for the efforts of adult leaders and volunteers who support the scouts and the American Legion.

Scout Troop 267 meets Mondays at 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 59, 156 East Main Street, in Fredonia, and is open to all boys and girls who have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10, or who are 11, but not yet 18 years old.

For more information about the Troop and how to join, visit the Troop’s website at: https://www.fredoniatroop267.com.