By MARGIE TRAX PAGE - Staff Writer - mtrax@starbeacon.com
ASHTABULA — In the glow of three candles, Michael Christopher John Jones said good-bye to his days as a Boy Scout and stepped into his role as an Eagle Scout.
Troop 531 Scout Master Bruce Haytcher replaced Jones’ faded red neckerchief with a new blue neckerchief of honor Sunday in the Eagle Scout ceremony at First Covenant Church in Ashtabula.
“I began Boy Scouts when I was 6 years old when my mother encouraged me,” Jones said. “My parents pushed me toward this goal, they helped me and supported me.”
Jones, an Edgewood High School graduate and computer science major at Youngstown State University, built shelves for band instruments for the Edgewood High School marching band.
“I played the trumpet in the marching band in high school, so I knew there was a need for storage and shelves in the band room,” he said.
Jones completed the project in March.
Jones said he has always enjoyed being a Boy Scout, but it was his parents, Debbie and John Jones, who encouraged him to take scouting seriously.
The Eagle Scout award is the Boy Scouts of America’s highest award of achievement. Michael Jones’ brother, Bryan Jones, is also working his way toward becoming and Eagle Scout.
Father John Jones said he took his role as a Boy Scout, the father of two scouts and as a Cub Scout troop leader seriously.
“In some ways these projects were as tough on me as they were on (Michael),” he said. “When our family gets involved, we all get involved.”
Debbie Jones smiled through tears Sunday as she received her Eagle Scout mother’s pin, signifying her role in her son’s achievement.
“My children are my life and my pride,” she said. “I am so proud of all he has done, all they have achieved. I became involved and I did it because I am so proud of my boys and all the Boy Scouts.”
