Achievers

Patrick M. Rydzak, of Tyler will be enrolling at Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Fla. Rydzak will become a member of the Florida Tech 2008-2009 entering class, pursuing a degree in Marine Biology, is the son of Stephen and Diane Rydzak.

The Eagle Court of Honor for Clinton Willbanks of Boy Scout Troop 369 took place on Nov. 10, at Pollard United Methodist Church in Tyler. His Eagle project was the cleaning and restoration of state historical markers in downtown Tyler.

With the approval of the Smith County Historical Association, official custodians of Texas State Historical Markers in Smith County, and guidelines from the Texas Historical Commission, Willbanks, with the help of fellow scouts in his troop, completed his project. The official confirmation of his attainment of the rank of Eagle Scout was approved on Aug. 9.

Willbanks has been active in scouting since 1998. He began his scouting experience in Cub Scout Pack 369 as a Tiger Cub. He advanced through the levels of Wolf, Bear, Webelo I, and Webelo 11. While with the pack, he received his Arrow of Light. As a Cub Scout he attended many Cub Scout family campouts, Cub Scout Day Camp, and participated in Pinewood Derby races in the pack and at the district level. He also participated in the God and Me and God and Family training while in the pack.

As a Boy Scout in Troop 369, he attained the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. He earned 29 merit badges. He received the Four-Star Pin for his four levels of training as a scout. While in the troop he has served in leadership positions; he has been an assistant patrol leader, patrol quartermaster, Order of the Arrow representative, assistant senior patrol leader, scribe, and senior patrol leader. He has attended Camp Pioneer, Camp Worth, and several winter camps at Camp Pirtle.

Willbanks became a member of the Order of the Arrow, the Honor Society of Boy Scouts, in 2005. He is presently a Brotherhood member.

He has served as second vice chief of the OkeeTuklo chapter and as secretary of the Tejas Lodge He is presently serves as service vice chief of the Tejas Lodge.

Willbanks attended the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 2005.

He was in Troop 1516 and served as the Scribe. He participated in a trek at Philmont in 2006. He has participated in leadership training in 2006 and 2007. He attended NOAC in Michigan in 2006, NLS in Texas in 2006, and NCLS in Indiana in 2007. He received the Golden Pinecone for successfully participating in the National Youth Leadership Training in 2006.

Willbanks is presently a sophomore at Robert E. Lee High School. He is a member of Marvin United Methodist Church. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Willbanks.