A duo of Scotts Valley teens from Troop 614 were recently honored with Scouting’s highest award, the Eagle Scout. Justas Venancio Rodarte and Matthew Norman Robinson were honored by their troop and families at a Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony, which was held at the Salvation Army Camp Redwood Glen on Aug. 24. There they received proclamations from the Mayor of Scotts Valley and special recognition from the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.
Justas Venancio Rodarte
Born in Okinawa, Japan, Justas Venancio Rodarte began scouting with a Cub Scout pack at Edwards Air Force, Calif., where he achieved Webelos One before moving to Connecticut and joining Pack 55.
After two years, Rodarte joined Boy Scout Troop 52. It was with this troop he experienced his first camping trip, at Lost Lake, and achieved Star rank before moving to Scotts Valley in 2012 and joining Troop 614.
Rodarte earned his Life and Eagle rank by the end of 2013, and passed his Eagle Board of Review on Jan. 16 of this year.
Rodarte is currently a Senior Inter-Baccalaureate student at Scotts Valley High School.
During his scouting career, Rodarte has held leadership positions such as Troop Guide and Senior Patrol Leader at summer camp. He has earned the Kali-ama hiking award and Kayaking BSA award, as well as the 50 Miler Award by kayaking 55 miles on Puget Sound.
Rodarte has also participated in a Florida Seabase High Adventure, earned the World Conservation Award, and was torch bearer for a traditional Indian canoe rosette ceremony.
Before achieving Eagle rank, he completed 25 merit badges. He also attended the Centennial National Jamboree, at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia in 2010, along with 50,000 other scouts.
Rodarte’s Eagle Project was a service for Salvation Army Camp Redwood Glen in Scotts Valley, which included a renovation of the entry way, clearing brush and debris, putting in a fence, planting rhododendrons and placing bark to prevent weeds.
Spread out over weekends during school, his project took over two months to complete, during the fall and winter of 2013.
In 2014 Rodarte became a member of Scotts Valley Venture Crew 314.
Matthew Norman Robinson
Matthew Norman Robinson started scouts in 2005 with Cub Scout Pack 608, where he earned his Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, Arrow of Light and the Scout Religious Emblem through his church, Gateway Bible Church.
He bridged into Scotts Valley’s Boy Scout Troop 614 at the age of 10. He is currently a junior at Scotts Valley High School.
Robinson has always been active in troop meetings and trips, and has had many leadership roles including Patrol Leader, Chaplain’s Aide, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and was part of the Venture Patrol.
He is now finishing a year as Senior Patrol Leader with Troop 614.
Robinson also completed National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) to learn leadership skills.
During his scouting career, he has earned 41 merit badges, including the Snorkling BSA Award, the Paul Bunyan Woodsman Award, 50 Miler Award by kayaking 55 miles on Puget Sound, and the World Conservation Award.
Robinson achieved Eagle Scout rank on Dec. 17, 2013, at the age of 15, and earned the Eagle Scout Bronze Palm in April 2014.
His Eagle Project was a service to the City of Scotts Valley, which included the preparation and restoration of the fence surrounding the city’s skate park, and the preparation and painting of two city park kiosks — one located in front of the Parks and Recreation building and one located at the Dog Park.
His project was completed the summer of 2013.
Outside of scouting, Robinson runs cross country at Scotts Valley High School, races mountain bikes on the Santa Cruz Mountains Composite Racing Team, and has raced in several local triathlons.
Now 16, Robinson plans to stay active with Troop 614, earn some more Eagle Palms and have some more scout adventures.
