ARTEME EARNS HIGHEST RANK OF EAGLE SCOUT

BENTON -- Thomas James Arteme, of Benton, has recently competed requirements for the rank of Eagle Scout.

For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Arteme along with co-workers spent more than 60 hours planning and constructing a bench for the St. Denis School yard and landscaping the from of the St. Denis Parish Center in Benton.

A member of Troop 25, Arteme has been active in scouting since joining Cub Scout Pack 36 in 1983. He has earned 25 merit badges and was elected to the Order of the Arrow.

Currently, he is serving as instructor for Troop 25, and has previously served as quarter master and senior patrol leader.

Arteme is a freshman at Kelly High School in Benton where he is on the honor roll. He is a member of the Kelly Hawks Marching Band, the pep club and the J.V. basketball team. He is also a member of the Scott City Swim team.

He is a member of the St. Denis Catholic Church, where he has served as an acolyte for six years. He earned the Ad Altare Die religious emblem for Catholic scouts and is a member of the CYC.

Troop 25 is sponsored by the American Legion Post 369 and the Benton Chamber of Commerce.

He is the son of Jim and Margaret Arteme of Benton.