Three Eagle Scouts From IHM Parish Honored

Newly invested Eagle Scouts from Troop 122 in Los Alamos, from left, George Margevicius, Nate Stephens and Ignacio Rougier. Courtesy photo

 

By MAIRE O’NEILL
Los Alamos

Three young men from Troop 122 of the Boy Scouts of America in Los Alamos reached the highest rank in scouting Nov. 16 when they were invested as Eagle Scouts. George Margevicius, Ignacio Rougier and Nathaniel Stephens were surrounded by family, friends and fellow scouts at their National Eagle Court of Honor, which was held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish Hall.

The Eagle Scout award requires advanced standards of leadership, service and outdoor skills and learning a variety of skills is required to advance through the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Life and Eagle. Since they became Life Scouts, Margevicius, Rougier and Stephens have planned, developed and led service projects to help their church and community.

Margevicius’s project involved building a shed beside Aspen House on Pajarito Mountain so that the ski patrol could store their toboggans there, cutting down on response time on the slopes and minimizing upkeep of the equipment. He says the project tested his leadership and problem-solving skills.

“The major logistical challenge was getting all the materials and people up to the top of the mountain on the day of my project,” Margevicius said. “We worked hard throughout the day and were able to finish on time and enjoy a fun campout at the top of the mountain.”

Rougier, a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, undertook two substantial projects at IHM where he and his family are parishioners. He and his team removed and replaced an old picket fence, stained the new fence, and painted a second fence in the playground between the parish hall and the St. Thomas More Center. They also refurbished and stained picnic tables on the church grounds. 

“This was a very labor-intensive, but at the same time rewarding project,” Rougier said. “I am very grateful to everyone who volunteered time to help me and the parish.”

Stephens’ project involved several weeks of planning and consulting with local landscape architect Ruth Doyle and Deacon Don Lucero on an area next to the IHM church building. Once the design was chosen, the area was cleared, landscape cloth was put down, and the plants the church wished to keep were preserved.

“The project went very well,” Stephens said. “The only slight setback was a broken water pipe, which we had to repair. The plants are thriving and the area we worked on looks really well.”

Margevicius noted that scouting has had a lasting impression on his life and that many of his favorite memories come from scouting activities.

“Be it shooting shotguns in Colorado or scuba diving off Catalina Island, there was always something fun to do through scouting”, he said.

Margevicius believes he would be a very different person without scouting.

“Scouting has taught me moral values in how to live my life,” he said. “The Scout Oath and Law have given me an outline to follow.”

Rougier said he has learned many valuable skills for future life from scouting.

“I learned so much about the importance of service through scouting and now it has just become part of my life because I love it so much,” he said.

Although he has always enjoyed hiking, Rougier has developed a love for camping, but added that he’s not so keen on backpacking! He also became fond of snorkeling and one of his favorite memories is of swimming with sharks at Catalina Island.

Stephens says that aside from everything he learned in his Eagle project, scouting has provided him with many experiences he might not otherwise have had, such as scuba diving, which has become one of his favorite activities.

“Scouting has taught me many life skills that I will carry with me into the future. I appreciate the dedicated adults who support the scouting program and thank them for their service,” he said.

Margevicius is the son of Robert and Kristen Margevicius. Rougier is the son of Esteban and Soledad Rougier and Stephens is the son of Chris and Caren Stephens.

Master of Ceremonies for the occasion was Steve Mosier, the invocation was given by Rev. Glenn Jones and the benediction by Deacon Don Lucero.

Nate Stephens scuba diving off Catalina Island. Courtesy photo

Ignacio Rougier, at far right, supervising part of his Eagle Scout project. Courtesy photo

George Margevicius during a Troop 122 backpacking trip. Courtesy photo

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