[naviga:h3]Several attain rank of Eagle[/naviga:h3]

CRANBERRY TWP — Michael Gemperle, Drew McCarron and Eric Rusnak, members of Boy Scout Troop 403, have attained the rank of Eagle.

Troop 403 is chartered by the Cranberry Community United Presbyterian Church in Cranberry Township.

- Gemperle completed his Eagle Scout service project for the Sisters of Saint Joseph in Baden by building a 20-foot-long bridge spanning a small creek along a new walking path.

Sister Lyn Szymkiewicz spoke of the positive impact of the bridge along the newly designed public walking trail and its contribution to the building of community at the Sisters of Saint Joseph Motherhouse.

Gemperle earned 41 merit badges and is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow Kuskitannee Lodge 168.

He is a recent graduate of Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School and will study engineering at the University of Wyoming in the fall.

He is the son of Lyn and David Gemperle of Cranberry Township.

- McCarron completed his Eagle Scout service project for the Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School with construction of a GaGa Ball Pit for student use.

GaGa is a fast-paced, high-energy game played within an octagon pit. His mother, Kelly McCarron, said the GaGa Ball Pit, used extensively by students during recess, encourages active play for all elementary school students.

McCarron earned 36 merit badges on his trail to Eagle Scout.

He is a recent graduate of Seneca Valley High School and will study digital media production at Kent State in the fall. He is the son of Kelly and Hugh McCarron of Cranberry Township.

- Rusnak completed his Eagle Scout service project for the Connoquenessing Valley Elementary School with a revamping of an outdoor classroom and a school courtyard.

Kelly McCarron noted the classroom allows teachers to move instruction outdoors where students can be inspired and their senses stimulated to allow better learning.

Rusnak earned 32 merit badges and is an Ordeal member of the Order of the Arrow Kuskitannee Lodge 168.

He is a recent graduate of Seneca Valley High School. He will be studying broadcast production and media management at Point Park University in the fall. He is the son of Susan and John Rusnak of Cranberry Township.

All three Scouts were formally recognized at an Eagle Court of Honor on July 14 at Cranberry Community United Presbyterian Church.

[naviga:h3]Griffith becomes Eagle Scout[/naviga:h3]

HARRISVILLE — Collin Griffith, 18, of Harrisville earned the rank of Eagle Scout on April 25, with Troop 380 of Harrisville.

Griffith was honored July 28 with the distinction. He has been a member of the Boy Scouts for 12 years.

The son of Bobbie and Amanda Griffith, he graduated from Slippery Rock High School on June 1 and will continue his education at Penn State Behrend, where he will major in marketing in hopes to pursue a career as a business owner.

For his Eagle Scout project, he added a drainage pipe underneath the ramp of the Springfield Church of God. He also replaced the dirt next to the ramp with stones, while power-washing and restaining the ramp.

Other tasks included replacing new gutters and trimming hedges.

Griffith has held the positions of senior patrol leader and patrol leader. He has earned 25 merit badges.