Editors Note: The following profile of a new Eagle Scout from Troop 431 is one of six in a series that will run before the story of their Court of Honor is published.
Temple University freshman Patrick Hughes, 18, was one of six scouts in Troop 431 of East Texas to receive his Eagle Award Feb. 4 at in Wescosville.
He began scouting six years ago with the troop and has served as its patrol eader and Assistanat patrol leader.
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He earned 22 merit badges, hiked 194 miles, and camped 61 nights with Troop 431. Patrick attended the High Adventure trip at Philmont Scout reservation, and also attended the Ressica Falls Summer Camp four years.
He is an Ordeal member of Order of the Arrow, the induction into which, according to the Boy Scouts of America, requires that the scout complete an ordeal which is intended to emphasize service and self-sacrifice. Candidates maintain complete silence, sleep alone overnight, receive small amounts of food and perform camp work projects.
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For his Eagle project, Patrick led an improvement project at in Macungie. He replaced a dead stump with a new tree, built new compost bins, installed rain barrels and trellises, and moved and spread mulch.
Patrick is the son of Randal and Tammy Hughes of Macungie, and he has a brother, Matthew.
While a student at , he was a member of student council and the Buzz TV crew. At , he wrote for the Collage literary magazine, volunteered as a camp mentor and nursery attendant at Holy Spirit Lutheran Church.
At Temple University, he is a member of Alpha Chi Rho fraternity and plays intramural soccer. He is majoring in computer science, and he hopes to become a video game designer.