LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Orinda Troop 303 Honors two new Eagle Scouts


Owen Pines of Troop 303 in Orinda attained Scouts BSA's highest rank, Eagle Scout, on Sept. 22, 2020. ?Due to COVID delays, his formal recognition ceremony, the Eagle Court of Honor, took place on July 18, 2021 at Orinda Community Church. Photo Andy Pines Alex Meckes of Troop 303 in Orinda attained Scouts BSA's highest rank, Eagle Scout, on July 23, 2020. ?Due to COVID delays, his formal recognition ceremony, the Eagle Court of Honor, took place on July 18, 2021 at Orinda Community Church. Photo Wendy Meckes

Troop 303 of Orinda held an Eagle Court of Honor July 18 at Orinda Community Church to honor Frederick Alexander Meckes, 18, and Owen William Min Soo Pines, 18, both of Orinda, each of whom attained Scouts BSA's highest rank, Eagle Scout. The rank of Eagle Scout requires the completion of 21 merit badges as well as a community project on behalf of a public or nonprofit entity.

Bruce McGurk, chair of the Briones District of Scouts BSA's Golden Gate Area Council, presided over the ceremony. Orinda Mayor Amy Worth presented each of the boys with an official proclamation of the Orinda City Council declaring officially July 19, 2021, as "Owen Pines Day" and July 20, 2021, as "Alex Meckes Day" in Orinda. Representatives of U.S. Congressman Mark DeSaulnier and California Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan also attended and read letters of congratulations to Meckes and Pines. California State Sen. Steve Glazer also sent a letter of congratulations.

Meckes was recognized for his Eagle Project, the completion of an ADA Compliant pathway in the Wagner Ranch Nature Area. Pines was recognized for his Eagle Project, the replacement of the flower planters in front of the administrative and counseling offices at Miramonte High School with new ones.??The beneficiaries, Toris Jaeger of Wagner Ranch Nature Area and Sara Harris, former assistant principal at Miramonte High School, offered their thanks to the boys as well. Both Scouts graduated from Miramonte High School in June.