Troop 993 Celebrates Five Eagle Scouts

Five Boy Scouts from Troop 993 enjoyed an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony in April at Severna Park United Methodist Church.

Benjamin Howard

Ben has been active in scouting since 2010 when he joined his brother, Erick, in Pack 855 at Benfield Elementary School. As a Cub Scout, he enjoyed camping, making and racing derby cars, “Gorilla Man” and being with his friends. He earned his Cub Scout and Webelos ranks along with achieving his Arrow of Light Award before bridging to Boy Scouts in 2015.

As a member of Troop 993, Ben immediately fit into Boy Scouts. His Eagle Scout project involved building seating for an outdoor classroom in the memorial gardens of Severna Park United Methodist Church, his troop’s sponsor church. He has been a member of this church his whole life and attended Sunday school, Vacation Bible School and youth group.

Ben has enjoyed spending his years in Troop 993 with his friends and his brother Erick. It’s been fun for him to encourage younger scouts to join the troop and achieve ranks through his actions and leadership. Ben is a senior at Severna Park High School and will attend college next year at Virginia Tech in the Corps of Cadets, studying mechanical engineering.

Benjamin Nocerito

Ben began his scouting career in late 2011 when he joined Pack 855 at Benfield Elementary School. He immediately was hooked by the Pinewood Derby competition, as well as sleepovers at museums and landmarks such as the Intrepid Aircraft Carrier (New York City), the USCGC Taney (Baltimore) and the USS Wisconsin (Norfolk). He earned his Cub Scout and Webelos ranks along with achieving his Arrow of Light award before bridging to Boy Scouts in 2015.

Ben’s Eagle Scout project involved restoring the grounds in and around the Kinder family cemetery located within Millersville’s Kinder Farm Park. The project removed the overgrown top layer of ground and replaced it with decorative rocks in addition to creating a border around the outside of the cemetery.

His time in Troop 993 flew by, especially when he was accompanied by his brother Nate. Ben is a senior at Severna Park High School and is active in soccer and lacrosse. He looks forward to attending college later this year.

Christopher Sabins

Chris first entered scouting in 2014 when he joined BSA Troop 993. Scouting aligned well with Chris’s keen interest in the environment and the appeal of a challenge. As he moved along the path to Eagle, Chris earned 31 merit badges, the World Conservation Award and the NOA Camping Gold Award, and he held several leadership positions.

Chris’ Eagle project was to install a bluebird trail around the campus of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church. Chris’ objective was to do a project that would benefit the environment, particularly wildlife, as well as his church community. The project included leading scouts and volunteers to construct 12 bluebird houses, mount them on posts and install them at planned locations on the St. Martin’s school campus. Students at the school have since adopted the bluebird houses, preparing them for the new season of bluebirds.

In addition to scouting, Chris was an active member of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church youth program. Chris is an accomplished pianist and also enjoyed swimming with SPRFC and Severna Park High School. Chris graduated with honors from Severna Park High School in 2021 and now attends Loyola University Maryland, where he is studying computer and electrical engineering.

Jacob Sabins

Jacob joined Troop 993 in 2014, when he was 11 years old, marking the start of his career in scouting. He earned 28 merit badges, the World Conservation Award and the NOA Camping Gold Award, and he held several leadership positions.

For his Eagle project, Jacob wanted to do something for his church, St. Martin’s-in-the-Field. He discussed several ideas with church officials and decided to install parking barrier posts along the entry drive in front of the church. Jacob’s project included leading scouts/volunteers in removing old, rotted posts from the area, preparing new posts and post holes, then installing posts, chains, reflectors, and post caps for safety. Twelve posts were installed.

In addition to scouting, Jacob was an active member of the St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church youth program. Jacob was a pitcher with the Severna Park Green Hornets club team. He also played saxophone in the high school band. Jacob graduated with honors from Severna Park High School in 2021 and now attends Loyola University Maryland, where he is majoring in economics.

Zachary Sabins

Zach became a member of the Boy Scouts of America in 2014 when he joined Troop 993. He eventually earned 36 merit badges, as well as the World Conservation Award and the NOA Camping Gold Award. Throughout the years, Zach held several leadership positions.

Zach’s Eagle project was to construct bullpens at a Severna Park Green Hornets baseball field. Zach, who is a catcher and has played baseball with the Green Hornets for many years, discovered that some of the higher-level baseball fields he was playing on lacked proper bullpens for warming up pitchers before they are called to the mound.

The project included leading scouts and volunteers in building two complete bullpens, one on each side of the field, each with a pitching mound and a catching area. These bullpens are now in use for the second season.

In addition to scouting, Zach has been an active member of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church youth program. Zach’s athletic ability and love of playing ball, especially catching and hitting, made him a valuable asset on his Green Hornets baseball teams. Zach also played percussion in the Severna Park High School band. Zach graduated with honors from Severna Park High School in 2021 and now attends Loyola University Maryland, where he is majoring in chemistry.