Scout earns Eagle rank

EDDINGTON – Stewart Dunoskovic of Boy Scout Troop 21 of Holden was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by Scoutmaster Steve Blanchard at a recent ceremony in Eddington. The rank of Eagle is the highest level of achievement in the Boy Scouts of America. Only about 5 percent of Boy Scouts attain the rank.

Members of Troops 21 and 23, including Scoutmasters Blanchard and Greg Bemis conducted the ceremony. Participants include committee chairman Colleen Prescott.

More than 60 people attended the ceremony and dinner, which was prepared by two of Dunoskovic’s sisters, Angela and Valerie.

Stewart is the oldest son of Robert and DebraJane Dunoskovic, who have four daughters and four sons. He is their first child to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

Sons William, Andrew and Michael also are members of Troop 21, with Andrew and William currently working on their Eagle awards.

Robert Dunoskovic, also an Eagle Scout and board member of Troop 21, joined his son in reaffirming his Eagle Scout Promise.

Stewart gave special mention to his mother, DebraJane, for her continuing encouragement and advice throughout his Scouting years.

“She has always supported me,” Stewart said. The young man has worked with his entire family over 18 months in building their log home in Eddington.

Stewart started in Scouting in Australia 1995 as a Joey Scout. On moving to the United States in 1996, he joined the Boy Scouts of America.

He credited much of his current learning and education about Scouting to his father and to Scoutmaster Steve Blanchard. Last year, Stewart was inducted into the Order of the Arrow at a ceremony held at the Katahdin Scouting Camp in Eddington.

Stewart, a student at Husson College since age 16, is working on a degree in criminal justice and has made the dean’s list. He plans to attend law school after college.

Stewart and his family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Bangor, where he has graduated from seminary and recently received his Duty To God Award.

For his Eagle project, Dunoskovic restored the Eddington Pioneer Cemetery over a period of many months. The project involved clearing and weeding the grounds; dismantling and removing old fences and digging out posts; organizing funding for and purchasing new fencing and building materials; constructing cement posts; building vinyl fencing and installing a new arbor.

The Scout said he received tremendous support from Eddington Town Manager Russell Smith and the friendly staff at the Eddington Town Office.

Dunoskovic said he was grateful to all who helped him achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. He added that he feels very strongly about staying with and giving back to his local community, and he will stay with Holden Troop 21 as its new assistant Scoutmaster.