Los
Banos Rotary Club History
Troop 85 Scouts Advanced at Special Court of Honor
Members of the Los Banos Rotary Club, sponsors of Boy Scout Troop 85 in this city, had the opportunity Tuesday to see a visual demonstration in the advancement made in the local troop this years as Scoutmaster Roy Whitford and Assistant Scoutmaster Art Edwards presented before the club a special Court of Honor, in which five Scouts received their Tenderfoot badges, four were advanced to Second Class, and one, Tommy Kaljian, was qualified as First Class. The latter, who is vacationing with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kaljian in the east, was the only one not attending.
In an impressive candlelighted investiture ceremony conducted by the Scoutmaster and his assistant, five young Scouts received their Tenderfoot badges—Harry Smoke, John Miller, Bobby Gonsalves, Fred Allen and Duane Shepherd.
Second class badges were awarded Richard Gonzalves, Charles Black, Richard Silva and James Hurley. The presentation was made by Leonard Clover, local Rotarian and chairman of the Scout Advancement Committee. Clover emphasized the work study and hours of practice that is required of a Scout to qualify for his Second Class badge, and complimented the boys for the marked progress and achievement they have made during the year.
Service Stars, coveted award earned for excellent achievement record made during the past 12 months, were presented to Charles Black, Douglas Black, Richard Gonsalves, Richard Silva, and Wayne Hagle. Tommy Kaljian also earned a 3-year service star for continued achievement in the Scout program.
Signal award in the service star division went to Assistant Scoutmaster Edwards—a 12-year pin for 12 years of outstanding work as a Scout and Scouter. Edwards, one of three Eagle Scouts present at the meeting, was commended highly by Whitford and others for his unstinting labors on behalf of the local Scout troop, and for his contribution to Scouting in this area.
Trophy Award
Something new for Troop 85 was the announcement of a new perpetual plaque and individual trophy for the Troop member making the greatest advancement in the past year. The award went to James Jamison. Jamison retains the trophy as his own and his name will be engraved on the plaque which will be placed on the wall of the Scout House, with names of succeeding winners to be placed on it each year. In announcing the new award Whitford explained that Jamison could not be personally present to receive the honors as he is now vacationing with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Jamison, in South Dakota.
The Court of Honor was closed with the Scoutmaster's benediction, conducted as a group gesture with the boys standing in a circle, each with a hand on the shoulder of another, as the benediction was pronounced.
June 22, 1956