Eagle Scout Shawn Cooper with his mother Sandy, father
John and eagle “Freedom” from Sarvey Wildlife Care Center.

 

Shawn Cooper, son of John and Sandy Cooper of Lake Stevens, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at a special ceremony held November 26 at Elim Lutheran Church. About 100 family, friends, and other Scouts witnessed the event, including the eagle “Freedom” and her handler Jeff Guidry from Sarvey Wildlife Care Center. For his Eagle Scout project Shawn built an aviary at Sarvey so injured birds can recuperate better and faster.

“What Shawn did is greatly appreciated. His project was not a one-time thing. It will keep on giving for a long, long time,” stated Guidry. Sarvey, located between Granite Falls and Arlington, treats about 4,000 injured animals a year and returns them to the wild.

Other attendees included Cooper’s grandfather, Jerry Pasquino, who traveled from Florida, and his other grandparents, Jack and Joan Cooper, who arrived from Idaho. There were about 20 other Eagle Scouts in attendance, some who had earned their award in the 1970s.

Scout leaders Mark Christensen, Ed Jones, and Scoutmaster Brad Smith conducted the ceremony. Many Scouts from Troop 42 assisted throughout.

On his way to earning Eagle Scout, Cooper earned 28 merit badges and participated in several hikes, camps, and leadership training.

The Trail to Eagle requires earning and graduating from each of the previous seven Scout ranks which he completed successfully.

He planned and coordinated the construction of the aviary. He solicited donations of money, labor, or materials from over 25 individuals and from Home Depot, True Value Hardware, and Martin Lumber.

His parents thanked those who helped Cooper earn this amazing achievement. “We know that Shawn will always remember the great times he had as a scout.”

Cooper, a senior at Lake Stevens High School, is a member of the track and tennis teams. He has been active with student government and can play five instruments. He has been conditionally accepted to The United States Military Academy at West Point in New York, where he will be commissioned an Army officer when he graduates in 2015.

Boy Scout Troop 42 of the Mt. Baker Council is only 11 years old but has produced 26 Eagle Scouts in the last 10 years. The Troop is chartered through American Legion Post 181. For more information about Scouting, call Scoutmaster Brad Smith (425.334.3409) or email him at:  smith.six@comcast.net.

 

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