Sean P. Maloney, 17, a member of Boy Scout Troop 82, Lehighton, recently achieved the highest rank in scouting, the Eagle Scout Award.

Maloney completed the requirements for his Eagle Scout award and was examined by Minsi Trails Council's Board of Review in October. He was presented his award at the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony on Saturday at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lehighton.Duane Reichard, Troop 82 Committee Chairman, presided over the event. Jim Henderson officially convened the Court of Honor.Speakers were Zachary Shiner and Dr. Michael Everett. Darrin Arndt delivered the Eagle Scout Charge and Christine Simok, Troop 82's chaplain, gave the invocation and benediction.Shiner said that becoming an Eagle Scout builds character and builds life skills.Dr. Everett said that being an Eagle Scout is a great honor and a big responsibility.Arndt said, "It's time to look to the future. Set your goals and take your first step. Always keep your eyes on the goal."Maloney was invited by Scoutmaster Scot Wingert to repeat the Eagle Scout Promise before presenting the Eagle Scout Award. Maloney also presented pins to his parents, Thomas and Susan Maloney and also presented a Mentor pin to Ken Hendershot."Your mother has been a source of pride and strength," said Wingert. "Your father offered advice and guidance."As part of the program, Maloney was presented a certificate by Lee Becker and the Rev. Robert vonFrisch of Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church; a letter from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources commending him for adopting the orienteering project as his Eagle project; a congratulatory letter from U.S. President Barack Obama; a proclamation of Jan. 22, 2011 being designated as "Eagle Scout Patrick Maloney Day in the Borough of Lehighton"; a presentation from the Borough of Lehighton to Trinity Lutheran Church for its support of Scouting; and a Good Citizenship Certificate from Nick Hawkey of the Carbon-Mountaineers Marine Corps League Detachment 996.Fellow scouts taking part in the program were Tyler Helmer, Adam Reichard, Sam Blose, Devin Frantz and Jacob Hoffner.Maloney began scouting as a Tiger Cub with Pack 82, advancing through the Cub Scout ranks to earn the Arrow of Light award. He then became a Boy Scout with Troop 82, earned 25 Merit Badges and held various leadership positions. He was also inducted into the Order of the Arrow and is a Brotherhood member.In 2008, Maloney served as a staff member at Settlers Camp, Trexler Scout Reservation.Maloney is a senior at Lehighton Area High School where he is a member of the National Honor Society, Varsity football team, track and field team, Safe School Ambassadors, vice president of the Future Business Leaders of America and the weightlifting club.For his Eagle Scout leadership service project, Maloney constructed and replaced 22 control markers at the Orienteering Course in Hickory Run State Park, White Haven. Maloney organized and led fellow Scouts, friends and family members to work on the project which took 210 hours to complete.Major sponsors of the project were Home Depot, Doug Rontz Signs, and the Delaware Valley Orienteering Association.Maloney plans to attend Temple University in Philadelphia in the fall and is planning to pursue a major in business administration or secondary education.He is the grandson of Nancy Kizer of Louisburg, N.C.; Raymond Huml of Philadelphia and Rose Maloney of Lehighton and the late Jack Maloney.