Ricardo Babilonia, 19, of Slatington, received the highest rank in scouting, the Eagle Scout Award as a member of Troop 66, Slatington. Babilonia is the son of Ricardo and Tricia Babilonia and is a 2021 graduate of Northern Lehigh High School.

Babilonia was presented with his Eagle Award at an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony held on June 5 at the Allen O. Delke Post 16 of the American Legion, Main Street, Slatington. The ceremony was held nearly one year after Babilonia passed his Eagle Board of Review on June 17, 2021, when he officially became an Eagle Scout.

In 2009, Babilonia joined pack 306 in Florida, where he earned his Arrow of Light award, the highest rank in Cub Scouts. He became a Boy Scout with Troop 306 and later switched to Troop 325. After moving to Pennsylvania from Florida in 2018, Babilonia joined Troop 66 as a Life Scout. He held the positions of senior patrol leader and patrol leader in the troop and earned a total of 36 merit badges in his scouting career. He is also a member of Order of the Arrow.

For his Eagle project, Babilonia cleaned, prepared and repainted picnic tables in the pavilion at Victory Park in Slatington for community use.

State Rep. Gary Day of the 187th District of Pennsylvania spoke at the ceremony and presented Babilonia with a citation from the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives.

Also in attendance was Ellen Kern, chief of staff for state Sen. Patrick Browne of the 16th District of Pennsylvania, who presented Babilonia with a citation from the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Mayor of Slatington Jeralyn Schoch was also in attendance and presented Babilonia with a certificate of achievement and a proclamation from the Borough of Slatington.

Babilonia is currently attending Lehigh Carbon Community College and is employed in the Guest Services department of the Lehigh Valley Zoo in Schnecksville. He plans to continue his studies in the marine science program at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida, this fall.

Troop 66 of Slatington is sponsored by the Allen O. Delke, Post 16 of the American Legion. It is the oldest troop in the Lehigh Valley, having been continuously chartered since 1924. The troop meets on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. at the scout house located behind Victory Park. Robert M. Fenstermaker is scoutmaster. Anyone interested in joining the Boy Scouts is invited to stop by during any Tuesday night meeting.