This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Minor is New Eagle Scout

Morris Scout built a new hiking trail

Eric M. Minor is the newest Eagle Scout from Morristown Troop 112.

For his Eagle project, Eric supervised the blazing and construction of a new wilderness hiking trail in the Jockey Hollow Top Preserve. The new trail connects Saunders Park with Mt. Kemble Road. It runs for more than a half-mile trail and features a 300-foot vertical rise, a boardwalk across fragile wetlands, and an 8-foot bench placed on a scenic overlook at the trail’s highest point.  The project took more than 350 hours of volunteer and personal hours. Eric gathered more than 40 volunteers. Eric worked on the trail for more than a year and finished in July of 2011.

His court of honor is March 11.

Find out what's happening in Morris Township-Morris Plainswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

From his first campout during the summer of 2005, Eric was hooked, according to his scout biography.  He advanced to First Class in 2006, then on to Star in 2007, and finally to Life Scout in 2008. Along the way he held multiple positions of responsibility, including Quartermaster, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Instructor, and Troop Guide.

Eric first joined Cub Scouts as a second grader in 2001 with Pack 125 at Sussex Avenue Elementary School.  He spent four years in the same den let by David Gallagher. He progressed through the ranks and earned his Arrow of Light in 2005.  Along with many of den members, he joined Boy Scout Troop 112 at the Morristown National Guard Armory.

Find out what's happening in Morris Township-Morris Plainswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Eric has balanced his Scouting experience with excellent grades a number of extracurricular activities. A senior at Morristown High School, Eric is a high honors student and is active in the National Honor Society, French Honor Society, and is a select Peer Group Counselor to the Freshman class.  He has two varsity letters in Cross Country and ran as a member of the team for the past 3 seasons.  In the spring he has competed for the last three years on the Morristown Tennis Team, and this season will be a member of the varsity team.

As a musician, Eric played clarinet and tuba the last three years in the high school’s Wind Ensemble.  He played in the pit orchestra for Morristown High School’s Spring Musicals for two years, performing on tuba and sousaphone in “Barnum” in 2010, as well as on the guitar in “Good News” in 2011.  At the Presbyterian Church of Morris Plains, Eric performs and tours with the Walsh Memorial Handbell Choir.  He performs with the choir throughout the year at schools and nursing homes, and as a 5-year member, has participated in summer tours to the southeastern United States, local colleges, and in Scotland and England.  Eric plays bass guitar in the Wednesday evening and 11 a.m. Sunday services, and, as an active member of the Youth Fellowship, has participated in habitat missions locally and in upstate New York, Connecticut, and Idaho.

Eric also has worked for the last 3 summers as a caddy at the Morris County Golf Club, and in addition became their driving range manager last fall.  Eric plans to attend college next year and is interested in a career in either biomedical engineering or professional sports management.

Eric follows his dad, Mike, and uncle, Malcolm Minor, into the Eagle brotherhood. Mike and Malcolm were members of Troop 19 in Upper Montclair.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?