An Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held to present the Eagle Scout award to Mason Warg at St. Paul’s UCC Church in Auburn. The Court of Honor is a special ceremony held to formally recognize and celebrate the achievement of the highest rank in the Scouts BSA program.
As a Kindergarten student, Mason Warg attended his first Cub Scout meeting in 2013. Working through all cub scout ranks, he then crossed over into the Boy Scouts in 2019. As a Boy Scout, he was required to complete the Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life Scout ranks. From his first step as a Cub Scout Lion Cub, 12 years later, Mason achieved the Boy Scouts highest rank of Eagle Scout in November of 2025.
Over his tenure in the troop, he had earned the required (22) merit badges, an additional (17) merit badges, provided (52) hours of community service, hiked over (276) miles and camped (124) nights.
Mason held the Senior Patrol Leader position in the Troop, which is responsible for running the troop meetings, appointing troop youth leaders and assisting the scoutmasters with yearly planning of activities.
Family, friends, fellow boy scouts from Troop 651 and local dignitaries were there to support and congratulate him on his achievements. Mark Palerino, Assistant Scoutmaster and MC for the ceremony, along with Kenneth Reber Asst. Scoutmaster presented Mason with the Eagle certificate, Merit Badge Palms and commendations. Further stories were shared by Lorna Palerino Troop Committee Member, Scoutmaster Jason Wood and Pastor Ken McDowell. Pennsylvania State Rep. Joann Stehr offered their congratulations as well and presented Mason with Letters of Commendations. In addition, Mason was recognized by President Donald Trump by Letter of Commendation and the Marine Corps League by Letters of Commendation.
Schuylkill County Commissioners Gary Hess, Barron Hetherington and Larry Padora Jr. spoke about the selection, planning and execution of Mason’s Eagle Scout Project. His project entailed replacing a walking bridge at Frog Hollow with the supplies being donated by Alpine Building Supply and Fisher Welding.
As a sign of gratitude, Mason presented his father Gregory Warg, Scoutmaster Jason Wood, Kent Heffner, Stephen Rada, Brody Vaughn and the late Zachary Vaughn a Mentor pin for being a significant influence on his journey on the Trail to Eagle.
Troop 651, over the past 46 years since its inception in 1980, has had 52 scouts achieve the rank of Eagle. Typically, less than 4% of Boy Scouts become Eagle Scouts.
Aspiring Eagle Scouts embark on a journey of accomplishment, earning a minimum of (21) merit badges, a feat that includes all (14) of the Eagle-required badges. These badges span crucial life skills, from personal fitness and understanding environmental science to developing public speaking abilities, engaging in civic responsibility, and gaining financial compass. Beyond individual achievements, Scouts forge lasting bonds with their peers, tackling challenges, learning moral principles and life lessons along the way. Eagle Scouts can also have a competitive advantage in college admissions, job applications, and military service.
If your child is interested in joining a scout pack or troop, please visit BeAScout.org to find your closest one. Boys and girls, K thru 5th grade, can join the same Cub Scout Pack. 6th grade and older would join separate Boy or Girl Scout Troops depending on availability by your local area. Troop 651 is always looking for additional Scouts to join the ranks and begin the journey towards Eagle Scout.
Information from a release/photos submitted
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