Photo by Lester Smith
New Eagle Scout Sam Sikes, center, was following a family tradition. With him in this photo at Sam’s April 3 Eagle Award Ceremony are his father Chris, left, and grandfather Art. All three are Eagle Scouts currently active in Boy Scout Troop 260.
The young man who received his Eagle Scout Award on April 3, recognizing his advancement to the highest progress rank in the Boy Scout program, was the third generation in his family to achieve the Eagle rank. Sam Sikes’ grandfather, Eagle Scout Art Sikes, Jr., has been a Scout leader in Suffield for about 45 years, most of them as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 260. Chris Sikes, Sam’s father, is also an Eagle Scout and is now also an Assistant Scoutmaster. So Sam is following a great tradition.
In addition, Sam’s great-grandfather, the late Art Sikes, Sr., was a member of the Town Forest Commission and for over 50 years cared for the Jesse Fowler Smith Town Forest across the street from his home on Halladay Avenue, West. Over the years, he advised several Boy Scouts in their Eagle Scout service projects in the Forest.
Providing the planning and leadership for a public service project is a key part of the
requirements for becoming an Eagle Scout, along with achieving all the lesser ranks, serving in a Troop leadership position, and earning at least 21 Merit Badges recognizing useful skills or knowledge. Sam earned a total of 30, plus a number of other significant honors.
Sam’s Eagle Scout project, which he dedicated to his grandparents Art and Arlene, added a nice enhancement to the Town Forest: the Sikes Memorial Plant and Tree Identification Walk. After the necessary trail clearing, selection of sites, and research, he installed 27 identification markers and several placards with a map of the sites and nature notes about each one.
Now a freshman in high school, Sam looks forward to plenty of additional camp-outs, canoe trips, and other adventures in Scouting.