Seale earns Eagle Scout award
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Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun
Seventeen-year-old Southlake resident Cary Seale celebrated the achievement of becoming an Eagle Scout on Sept. 27 is an occasion he will remember for the rest of his life. A mother’s prayer and a father’s pride combined with a pastor’s blessing, congratulations from dignitaries, and compliments from troop officials to make for a most memorable day. Casey Christie of Bodfish, the lone Eagle Scout in attendance, served as escort for Seale and his parents.
In order to become an Eagle Scout, Seale had to complete the requirements for 21 merit badges, obtain several letters of recommendation from friends, family, teachers and a pastor. The biggest challenge however, was the creation and completion of an Eagle Scout service project. All of this was to be completed before Seale turned 18 on June 21.
Seale organized a weekend-long work project at the Kern River Valley Cemetery for his Eagle Scout project. Although he considered several ideas, a suggestion to beautify the cemetery for the annual Memorial Day Celebration really struck a chord. With the support of his parents, Donna and Kye Seale, the young man began enlisting the support of fellow Boy Scouts from Troop 690. Troop Commissioner Jim Ash and Seale’s Troop Master Janice Schulz were both in favor of the idea and felt that it was certainly a worthwhile idea, and met all of the criteria for a suitable service project. Some of the five- to seven-year- old Webelo’s and Tiger Cubs, also from Troop 690, offered to help.
After Memorial Day, Seale completed the required paperwork. He had one final requirement: An interview with the Eagle Scout Review Board. At Seale’s Eagle Scout Award Presentation on Sunday, they spoke highly of Seale. “This celebration today is the culmination of many, many years of hard work and the help of many people,” said Jim Ash.
Dave Freeland, retired Kern River District Ranger said, “I was impressed with Cary. At first he seemed a little nervous during his interview, which is a good thing. If you aren’t a little nervous in a situation like that then you’re cocky and that’s not good. As he continued to answer questions, he did really well. It was as though he matured during that interview,” Freeland added.
After Seale was officially awarded his Eagle Scout pin, his parents were asked to say a few words. Donna Seale read a prayer she had written that reflected on how quickly time passes. She thanked God for the gift of her son, as he was as a little boy and as he is today as a young man. His father said Sunday’s award ceremony was one of his three best days ever. The first was when his son was born and the second was the day Cary was awarded his God and Country Award.
Seale was presented with letters of recognition from local and state dignitaries such as Supervisor Jon McQuiston, Assemblymember Roy Ashburn, Senator Diane Feinstein and Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressman Kevin McCarthy.
After the last merit badge was handed out, the large gathering moved across the courtyard to enjoy a reception in which Seale was honored with a beautiful cake decorated with the Boy Scout emblem.
“I’m really proud him for getting everything done for this award. This has definitely brought him one step closer to manhood,” said his father as he watched the festivities.
“It was a very important ceremony, but it was fun,” said Seale. He added that his mother was instrumental in helping him to attain his goal. “I probably couldn’t have done it without her.” He then added, “Mr. Ash played a huge part in this as well. Without him pushing and encouraging me, I probably wouldn’t be celebrating today.”
Seale, who graduated from Kern Valley High School in the spring, is now a full time student at Cerro Coso College. He is also considering a future career in the military. Surely, the skills he acquired in his quest to become an Eagle Scout and the values he has learned from scouting will stand him well whatever path he chooses to follow.
The event was held in the sanctuary of the First Baptist Church in Lake Isabella, the same church that has provided Scout Troop 690 a meeting place for 40 years. Many of those in attendance, both scouts and scout families, have played a part in Seale’s scouting experience since he became a Tiger Cub at age five. They have witnessed first hand Seale’s transformation from a rambunctious little boy to the young man that he is today.
