Three local boys to receive Eagle Scout Award

Andrew Spencer, son of William and Robin Spencer of Big Lake, Tanner Hongslo, son of Jeremy and Heather Hongslo of Wasilla, and Zach Grace, son of Troy and Brigette Craig of Big Lake, have earned the highest rank the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Scout Award.

Spencer, Hongslo and Grace were recognized at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor July 19 at Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake.

All are members of Bear Paw District’s, Troop No. 340, led by Troopmaster Daniel Moore, the three are now part of the 7 percent of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank.

Spencer’s Eagle Project was to help plan and mark Houston High School’s 5K Cross Country Trail. With the help of his track coach Jack Rice (former Park Ranger at Yellowstone National Park), he marked the trail using survey tape, then using a GPS and Google Earth, accurately mapped and measured the trail. He and his crew marked trees for removal for an 18-foot wide trail to accommodate, not only cross country runners, but cross country skiers in the winter, as well as members of the community who just wish to go for a stroll in the woods. After the trees were marked, his crew, with the help of adult leaders, cut some of the trees down, cut them into firewood, then split and delivered the firewood to various charities and needy individuals around the community. More than 460 man hours were spent on the project.

Hongslo’s Eagle Project was a gateway at DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Chapter 3 in Wasilla. He built a gate for the trail and added a sign dedicated as “The Walter Frisch Memorial Trail.” He also repaired an existing bridge across a small creek.

Grace upgraded the Walter Frisch Memorial Trail for his Eagle Scout Project. He cut brush to widen the existing trail, spread wood chips on the surface, and lined the path with stones. His project also served the DAV Chapter 3 in Wasilla. At age 16, Grace is the youngest in the history of Big Lake’s Troop No. 340 to achieve the Eagle Scout Rank.