Chris Motia is a senior graduating from La Cañada High School. For his Eagle project, Chris and volunteers built 120 lineal feet of lodge pole and railings at Eaton Canyon Equestrian and Staging Area for the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department. They also planted California native and drought-resistant plants and mulch to cover 440 square feet.
Chris has been a member of the La Cañada High School choral men’s ensemble for the past four years and the LCHS concert choir for the past three years. He’s traveled to Spain, Chicago and Italy with the choir.
In the fall, Chris will attend Indiana University on a four-year Army ROTC scholarship.
Douglas Clifford Paine started his Scouting experience with Cub Scouts at La Cañada Elementary School. He earned his Arrow of Light and bridged over to La Cañada Boy Scout Troop 507. As a result of his Scouting influence, Douglas is a shining example of a team leader. His brother Derrick earned his Eagle award in 2010.
Douglas’ Eagle project required numerous hours of hard work with the help of many fellow Scouts, Scoutmasters and parent volunteers. The project location was the Eaton Canyon Equestrian & Staging Area for the L.A. County Parks and Recreation Department. A 120-foot-long fence was installed in addition to planting drought-tolerant plants along the length of the fence. Douglas graduated as a member of the La Cañada Flintridge class of 2017.
Matthew Richmond, Loyola High School ’16, and Santa Clara University ’21, earned the Arrow of Light Award, joining Boy Scout Troop 507 in 2008. Matthew held leadership positions and participated in camporees, backpacking, rock-climbing, white-water rafting and glider trips. He visited Cherry Valley, Chiwanakee, Trask, Whitsett and Holcomb Valley camps. He received a World Conservation Award and earned 29 merit badges. In 2014, he received a Presidential Volunteer Service Award for completing more than 300 service hours. Matthew was a CSF member in 2014 and 2015. For his Eagle Scout project, he rehabilitated a memorial statue and created a concrete paver patio at St. Bede Church. More than 401 hours went into the project, funded through doughnut sales and donations.
Connor Thomas has been a member of Troop 507 for seven years. He has held several leadership positions, including attendance coordinator, reporter, patrol leader and historian. Connor’s most memorable trips include the World Jamboree in Japan and a 12-day canoeing trip through Boundary Waters.
For his Eagle project, Connor rebuilt a garden at Crestview Preparatory Elementary School. The project was successfully completed with the help of 38 Troop 507 members and friends working 240 hours. The garden will be used in Crestview’s science program.
Connor believes reaching Eagle is not the end of Scouting, but a recognition of adhering to the spirit of Scouting: duty to respect others, to achieve one’s personal best and to give back to the community.
