Commissioners recognize Weatherly Eagle Scout

Carbon County Commissioners, on Thursday, recognized a new Eagle Scout.

On Thursday, the board welcomed Antonio James Colecio, 17, of Weatherly, a member of Boy Scout Troop 790, Hazle Township, who recently joined the ranks of Eagle Scout. The board adopted a resolution honoring Colecio’s efforts.

Commissioner Chris Lukasevich read the resolution, which states that Colecio “has developed the necessary skills and determination to achieve an honor he will value for a lifetime” and noted that the young man “is an inspiration to young men through his dedication and leadership.”

Colecio has been in the Boy Scouts since he was 6 and has earned 33 badges during his 11-year membership. He also served as senior patrol leaders and is a member of the Order of the Arrow.

For his project, Colecio renovated American Legion Post 360’s flagpole and base, installing a garden around the base, filling it with landscaping rocks and flowers in planters, as well as painting the flagpole. In total, he spent 258 hours on the project.

Commissioners’ Chairman Wayne Nothstein congratulated Colecio on this accomplishment, adding that he has proved himself as a leader.

He also reminded him that when he applies for jobs in the future, to add his Eagle Scout title to his resume because “these are the things we look for ... it shows us you are a hardworking person and a leader in your community.”

Colecio said that Boy Scouts was a very good experience and he wanted to share that with others.

“Scouting has taught me so many life skills,” he said. “It has taught me first-aid, leadership, communication skills, how to survive in the world and how to be observant and useful. I use these skills in and out of scouting.”

Colecio, who turned 17 on Friday, is the son of Anthony and Jennifer Colecio and a junior at Weatherly Area High School.

Outside of scouting, he is the captain of the high school varsity soccer and basketball teams; is a graduate of the Junior Leadership Hazleton; serves as an altar server of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, an instructor at Good News Camp and Soccer Camp; and is a National Honor Society member.

Colecio plans to continue with scouting, and hopes to achieve Vigil in the Order of the Arrow.

“Scouting has done so much for me, and I want to give back to scouting,” Colecio wrote in his letter for acceptance as an Eagle Scout. “I plan to keep helping out at scouting events to share my knowledge with others of what scouting has taught me. When I am older, if I have children, I want to get them involved in scouting.

“I believe scouting is such a great experience for children. That’s why I want to stay in scouting after I achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.”