Wrobel earns scouting’s top honor

“My dad hoped to see me achieve Eagle,” said Scotty Wrobel. “I just wish my dad were here to see me today, in more than just spirit.”

Scotty’s dad, Craig Wrobel, died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) in the fall of 2000. But his presence was very much in evidence last Saturday, March 15, when Scotty was presented with the highest honor in scouting, that of Eagle Scout. Scotty received his honor at a special ceremony at the American Legion Hall. About 80 islanders attended.

Craig Wrobel was a local scoutmaster who believed so strongly in scouting that he maintained his role even while he was very ill. The regional council of scouting, responding to prodding by the local troop, nominated Craig for the Jefferson Award, a national honor given to those deemed community heroes for public service. The award was started by Jacqueline Onassis.

It is a long and arduous road to become an Eagle Scout. For Scotty, it began 10 years ago, when he joined the Cub Scouts. One must pass through many ranks and earn no fewer than 21 merit badges in order to qualify as an Eagle. Scotty’s merit badges, which grace the sash on his uniform, are for demonstrating mastery in a wide variety of subject areas, among them wood carving, first aid, pottery, environmental science, leather works, forestry, climbing and cycling. Scotty has even surpassed the requirement to be an Eagle scout, having earned 25 merit badges.

The culminating activity for every scout aspiring to be an Eagle is an independent project that integrates much of the knowledge learned during the time spent in Boy Scouts.

Scotty selected a project that honored his dad by designing and building what is known as a Torii, a Japanese gateway that will stand on a knoll by the permanent facility now being built on Orcas Island for Lahari hospice care. Scotty opted to help Lahari as a way of saying thanks to those who provided home care for Craig Wrobel during the final days of his life. Lahari staff even provided money for the care, and they helped Scotty’s mother, Laura Wrobel, plan for and deal with her husband’s death.

A Torii is commonly built at the approach to a Shinto temple. It represents peace and tranquility, Scotty said, and is considered a gateway to heaven or the sun.

Scotty’s original intent was to build a sign for Lahari, but when hospice care facility Director Francis Racy proposed the Torii, he threw himself whole heartedly into the project. Scotty has given 130 hours to the project, spread out over practically an entire year. He did the planning, created a design, and prepared a workbook documenting his effort. All that remains is for the Torii to be assembled. The final step will take place some time this summer.

Only a handful of Orcas Island youth are in scouting. This concerns Scotty, who considers the experience to be extremely valuable. “Scouting has taught me leadership and character development,” he says, “and through the program, I have learned to overcome obstacles I would not have encountered outside of the scouting program.”

Three Orcas boys have become Eagle scouts over the past 10 years. They are Peter Ciskowski, Ian Fletcher and Kit Conners.

Saturday’s ceremony featured a welcome by scoutmaster Mike Cooper, words by local pilot Bob Waunch, and presentation of the Eagle award by troop committee chairman Duncan Taylor.

Local contributors to the celebration included the Lions Club, which paid for use of the Legion Hall; Orcas Village Store, which catered the dinner that was supplemented with potluck side dishes; Liberty Call Bed and Breakfast, which put up family members; Diane Cooper, who made a special cake for Scotty; Orcas Island Sportsman Club, which donated three turkeys; and Walter Henderson, who created a carving of an eagle as a memento to Scotty.

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