Triple-Eagle for Hoquiam’s BSA Troop 100

By Dave Haviland • July 21, 2021 9:00 pm

Hoquiam Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 100 officially celebrated three new Eagle Scouts, the highest youth rank, at a Court of Honor ceremony in Montesano on Saturday, July 17. Eagle Adviser, and founding Scoutmaster of Troop 100, Rick Strom officiated the event.

“I’ve done 15 of these throughout the years, but I’ve never had three Eagle Scouts at once,” said Strom before the ceremony.

He said COVID-19 protocols prevented the ceremony for the past few years.

Navarree Dyllon Reid-Dickson passed his Eagle board of review in May 2021, His Eagle adviser and original scoutmaster was Rick Strom. His current scoutmaster is Tifanie Kelly. His father is Jeremy Hays of Brady, mother Jennie Sauer of Hoquiam and aunt Joanne Steigman of Montesano.

Navarree’s project was the restoration of the wall adjacent to St Mary School that featured a mural that was vandalized and covered in overgrown vegetation. The project consisted of clearing away the vegetation, pressure wash cleaning the wall and repainting the wall.

Foster Patterson passed his Eagle board of review in summer 2020. His Eagle project was a musical instrument drive for the Wishkah Valley School District. Foster, 17, is the son of Dan and Shannon Patterson of Aberdeen. He’s been in Scouts since he was in second grade. His Eagle adviser — and original scoutmaster — is Rick Strom, his current scoutmaster is Tifanie Kelly.

In total, Patterson collected three flutes, six clarinets, one saxophone, six trumpets, five trombones, two snare drums, and various small percussion instruments for Wishkah Valley. He also secured a $3,000 grant from Grays Harbor Community Foundation, which he used to purchase a new concert bass drum and concert xylophone.

Alex L. Tomko of Hoquiam Scout Troop 100 passed his Eagle board of review in September 2020. A senior at Hoquiam High School at the time, Tomko is the son of Tammy and Mike Lund of Hoquiam and Todd Tomko of Blaine. His original scoutmaster and Eagle adviser was Rick Strom. Alex’s Eagle project, which totaled 165 service hours, was the creation and installation of a new sign at the entrance of Hoquiam High School.

All three Eagle Scouts surprised former Scoutmaster Strom with the coveted Mentor pin for his help over the years to help them on their trail to becoming an Eagle Scout.