Photos by Steve Galluzzo
By STEVE GALLUZZO| Sports Editor
Pacific Palisades Troop 223 hosted its annual Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Sunday afternoon, November 23, in the chapel at the Parish of Saint Matthew—marking the first time the troop has been back at the church since the Palisades fire in January.
Jack Musitano (2023 Eagle Scout 223B) and Carly Crane (2023 Eagle Scout 223G) shared Master of Ceremonies duties, while Teddy Chang (Senior Patrol Leader 223B) led the gathering of current and former scouts and their family members in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Then Kim Morera (Senior Patrol Leader 223G) gave the invocation, expressing gratitude for the journey they have all been on and acknowledging the troop’s 25 scouts who earned the highest honor of Eagle Scout—the largest group to Eagle this year.
Based in Pacific Palisades, Troop 223 has a long tradition of scouting, while serving both boys and girls (following the expansion of the Scouts BSA program). More than 1,000 scouts in the troop have advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout under Scoutmaster Mike Lanning’s leadership (the milestone was reached during the 2024 Court of Honor last November).
“The rank of Eagle Scout is a badge of honor that carries a sense of pride and accomplishment that will remain with you the rest of your life,” said Lanning, who is beginning his 73rd year as scoutmaster. “This is a unique club and you should be proud.”
Second-year mothers typically run the Court of Honor, and Molly Read (whose 12-year-old son Braden has been a scout for two years) was gifted a bouquet of flowers, after which Chang and Cleo Badt (Senior Patrol Leader 223G) offered congratulatory citations.
Then it was time for the presentation of Eagle Awards, where each of the 25 candidates was introduced by their own “presenter” who described how they met the candidate and what they achieved.
This year’s candidates were Jackson Baril (Harvard-Westlake High, 28 merit badges), William Chapin (Viewpoint School, 32 merit badges), Kade Craft (Mira Costa High, 27 merit badges), Ethan Davis (Pali High, 28 merit badges), Benjamin Davis (St. Monica Prep, 22 merit badges), Finian Fox (Loyola High, 30 merit badges), Haakon Knapp (Mira Costa High, 24 merit badges), Matthew Krieger (Loyola High, 27 merit badges), Dominic Longo (Mira Costa High, 24 badges), Henry Mauch (Pali High, 33 merit badges), Conor Merges (Loyola High, 24 merit badges), Jackson Itaya (Newton North High, 27 merit badges), Tucker Rowland (Loyola High, 30 merit badges), Ryan Ruud (Loyola High, 31 merit badges), Max Szymanski (Pali High, 24 merit badges), Cammie Lovett (Marymount High, 26 merit badges), Eloise McCarthy (Geffen Academy, 27 merit badges), Olivia Macdonald (Pali High, 25 badges), Sienna Nocas (Glenbrook South High, 29 merit badges), Aleah Plume (Pali High, 29 merit badges), Gemma Rahill (Santa Monica High, 25 merit badges), Presley Travail (Pali High, 30 merit badges), Avenali Weaver (Marlborough School, 27 merit badges), Abigail Yoda (Pali High, 27 merit badges) and Eleanor Yoda (Pali High, 28 merit badges).
“I’ve never seen a group that took to leadership more quickly,” Assistant Scoutmaster for Seniors 223G Sean Whiteley said.
Regular meetings and activities include monthly camp-outs, adventure treks to Yosemite, Montana, Idaho, Catalina Island and Philmont, and community service. The organization’s mission emphasizes leadership, outdoor skills, personal growth and service with a “Scouts Leading Scouts” philosophy.
Troop 223 focuses on giving local youth experiences in the outdoors through activities like hiking, backpacking and camp-outs that build confidence and resilience. The community and service dimension is strong, as many Eagle Scout projects involve local schools, nonprofit organizations and municipal improvement.
“These guys have been through an awful lot and the diversity of these young men’s activities—football, baseball, basketball, swimming, music, robotics, photography, sculpture, lacrosse, performing arts, lifeguarding, film and theater—is remarkable,” said Andy Hubsch, assistant scoutmaster for Seniors 223B. “This is something that’ll stick with you … You started as Tiger and Cub Scouts, and now you stand at the top of the mountain as Eagle Scouts and you are an Eagle Scout forever.”
Troop 223 meets at St. Matthew’s but recently, due to the Palisades fire, at St. Paul the Apostle in Westwood. New Scouts typically join in fifth or sixth grade and do not necessarily need previous Cub Scout experience.
“What you’ve all shown is the true heart of scouting—resourcefulness, commitment and courage,” Scoutmaster 223G Larry Kirven said. “This is just the beginning. You head into the future bringing integrity, service and perseverance.”
Last to speak was Lanning, who imparted this year’s candidates with his words of wisdom: “I’ve been here before and I pray to my God that I’ll be here again.”
Lanning referred to a lifelong resource he calls “The Force.”
“It’s something in you that you built—it’s not some Star Wars thing, but you can call on it the rest of your life,” Lanning continued. “You may have physical challenges or financial challenges or personal challenges, but you have to recognize this force is there and it’s characterized by three things: first, it’s unique to you; second, it’s indefatigable; and third, it’s placed in you by God and therefore it’s the best. When the going gets tough, it’s the force that will get you going.”
Finally, Senior Patrol Leader 223B Bryce Young read the benediction.
“May the values of scouting guide us in our daily lives,” he said.
Each scout received a medal and framed picture, and a reception in the courtyard was held after the ceremony.
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