SCOUTS EARN EAGLE RANK

Two area Boy Scouts earned the Eagle rank recently, which is the top honor bestowed on a scout.

The scouts, Paul David Stuart and Sean Kinney, are both members of Boy Scout Troop 5 in Cape Girardeau. The troop is sponsored by VFW Post 3838.

To earn a rank of Eagle Scout, the boys must complete a special project. Both Stuart and Kinney chose nature projects as their work.

Stuart built bluebird houses, bird feeders and wood duck nesting boxes "to provide shelter and food sources for local birds and migrating water fowl," he said.

Some were donated to the Missouri Department of Conservation for use in area ponds and lakes. He also installed eight bird feeders and 12 bluebird houses at local retirement centers and nursing homes.

Stuart said the project taught him that "to get something done you have to have a lot of patience."

Stuart is the son of Mark Stuart and Sue Stuart.

He also participates in band, soccer, cross-country track, soccer and his church youth group, as well as being an honor student. He has received the Order of the Arrow scouting honor and is a patrol leader.

Kinney chose an Eagle Scout project that would help prevent erosion on hiking trails at Trail of Tears State Park.

He installed seven erosion-controlling water bars along the Shepherd's Point Trail.

The project taught Kinney "the value of planning and hard work," he said.

Kinney is the son of Martha and Robin Kinney. He participates in the marching, jazz and pep bands at Central High School and is an honor student.

The scouts will be honored by the Greater St. Louis Council during an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony later in the year.