ANSONIA — Robert Christman, a senior at Ansonia High School, received his Eagle Scout Award Sunday in a special ceremony at Ansonia United Methodist Church.
Christman, a member of Troop 114, was awarded the top Boy Scout badge in a ceremony which included his parents, Rodney and Jody, his Scoutmaster Dave Staver; fellow members of his troop; Ray Dawson, now a retired volunteer assistant district commissioner for the Miami Valley Council Sun Watch District; and Pastor Ron Hokesema, pastor of the church, who gave closing remarks.
Robert pinned the patch on both of his parents after his father pinned one on him. Also featured in the ceremony were a prayer, presentation of the flags, lighting of the candles and closing prayer with a few words from the pastor.
Staver read a couple of congratulatory letters directed to Christman for his achievement; one from the Miami Valley Council and the other from the Grand Lodge of Free Masons.
In order to earn the award, Christman’s project was to readjust headstones that have fallen off their pedestals and cleaned up the Old Teegarden Cemetery, southwest of Ansonia.
Dawson had this to say, “I am a friend of the family. Several years ago, I met Robert when he was a young Scout at Woodland Trail. I was there for alumni day and Robert was there with some other boys on a porch and I got to talking to him. We talked about the authors Robert liked. I was Scoutmaster, explorer adviser and professional Scouter. Robert meets met at the Great Darke County Fair every year. I am sharing my Scouting memorabilia and will be giving a little bit of it away to Eagle Scouts. It’s one of the highest achievements you can achieve as a Scout as a young person. He’s done something monumental.”
Dawson, who presented Christman with two of those mementos later on at the reception, went on to say, “Robert, this is your court of honor. You owe this community a lot. It doesn’t stop with today. You’ll be expected to do service to your community as you grow. All of us are very proud of you. If it weren’t for the support and encouragement of your family, it doesn’t happen. This is great for a resume on college and for military We, too, owe him our support and help. We’re in this world to help each other.”
Hokesema, before saying the final prayer, told Robert, “You have a bright future ahead of you as you’re finishing your senior year.”
Robert said he went into Scouting in September 2005.
“A county rep at the time came to our school and it seemed interesting and I thought, ‘Let’s try it. It don’t hurt. Let’s see what going on,’” he recalled. “In scouting, I have had many projects and enjoyed the campouts. I liked hiking around the battlefield in Gettysburg, and the water project was a fun time.”
Robert said he started the cemetery project last October.
“We were out there in rain, snow, and sleet and wind,” said his father. “It had to be done by May 2, his 18th birthday, and he just made it.”
Robert works at Marco’s Pizza and has his own lawn care and mowing business.
His plans after high school? “I think I will go to Edison State in ag business,” replied the senior, who is treasurer of the FFA in Ansonia.
He is also a member of the Ansonia United Methodist Church and its youth group, and is a Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership alumnus. He went to Chicago for the latter.
Robert is Staver’s ninth Eagle Scout. Previous ones have been Greg Baker, Bill Staver, Brad Pearson, Nathan Midlam, Justin Lee, Andrew Riffle, Tony Koesters and Ken Koesters. Other Scouts in Troop 114 who have earned the Eagle rank prior to Staver’s term include Larry Henderson, Jim Brewer, Mike Henderson, John Snyder, Jeff Warrick, Steve Mote, Greg Campbell and John Roll.
There are currently nine Scouts in Troop 114. Staver’s assistants are Greg Baker, Carl Post and Mike Thornhill.
