Jonathan LaDue
Eagle Scout 

Jonathan Terence LaDue was awarded the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, during a Court of Honor on February 8, 2009 at the Bond Park Community Center in Cary, NC.   Jonathan is a member of Troop 216 in Cary and is the son of Terence and Jeanette LaDue of Cary.   He officially earned the rank of Eagle Scout on November 12, 2008 at the age of 14.  

Jonathan is Troop 216’s 65th Eagle Scout since it was founded in 1978.  The troop is led by Scoutmaster Bob De Contreras and is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.

Among the 70 people attending the Court of Honor were Jonathan’s maternal grandparents Bill and Marie Croft of Fort Mill, South Carolina as well as his aunt, Kim LaDue, also of Fort Mill, South Carolina.  Town of Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and Jennifer Robinson, Cary Town Council District A member were also special guests.  Life Scout Jack Kessilring was the Master of Ceremonies. 

The ceremony opened with a presentation of the colors by Eagle Scouts David Szilezy and Daniel Kearby.  The lighting of the candles was completed by Eagle Scouts Kevin Mulder and John Clemmer as well as Star Scout David Harmon.  Life Scout Nick Davis delivered the invocation.  Eagle Scout Alex Brawn gave the Roll Call of Eagles and the Scout Law.  The Trail to Eagle was described by Eagle Scout Kevin Mulder.  Scoutmaster Bob De Contreras presented Jonathan with the Eagle badge and neckerchief.   Mr. Charles Fossett, the Past Exalted Ruler of the Cary Apex Elks Lodge Number 2798, presented a certificate and flag and Mr. Todd Ellis, Troop 216’s Charter Organization Representative and Knights of Columbus member, presented Jonathan with an engraved pen.  Mayor Weinbrecht presented Jonathan with a Town of Cary Proclamation in recognition of his achievement.

Jonathan began his scouting career in 2000 as a Tiger Cub with Pack 36 in Montrose, New York before transferring in 2002 to Pack 244 in Cary, North Carolina.  In addition to earning all of the Cub Scout ranks, Jonathan also earned 47 belt loops and 1 pin.    In April 2003, Jonathan earned the World Conservation Award and in October 2004, the Catholic Religious Award Parvuli Dei.  On March 22, 2006 Jonathan received Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light, and immediately bridged to Boy Scouts.

During his tenure with Troop 216, Jonathan has spent the past three summers camping with the troop at Camp Raven Knob in Mount Airy, NC.   In order to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, 21 merit badges must be earned, 12 of which are Eagle required.  Jonathan has earned 38 merit badges.   Jonathan considers the highlights of his scouting career to be camping with friends, white water rafting and indoor rock climbing. 

The BSA program heavily emphasizes leadership skills, and throughout his career with Troop 216, Jonathan has held numerous leadership positions, including Assistant Quartermaster, Patrol Leader, Troop Guide and Quartermaster.   As required by the Boy Scouts of America, a candidate for Eagle Scout must plan, develop, and give leadership to others while providing a service to the community.  For his project, Jonathan led twenty-two scouts and several adults in painting a large map of the United States on the playground of the Salem Elementary School.  Assistant Scoutmaster Tom Brawn was Jonathan’s Eagle Scout advisor.

An eighth grade student at Davis Drive Middle School in Cary, NC, Jonathan likes to play soccer, is a member of his neighborhood swim team, and an avid video game enthusiast.