Troop 40 takes time for a picture with ACO Stephanie Smith. Pictured from left to right in the back row are Lindsay Fosdick, Robert Fosdick, ACO Smith, Lennox Torres, Alex Fierro, Jaxon Torres, Brendan Gill, Sarah Gill, Alma Fierro, Salvador Fierro, Jocelyn Shuck, Sheldon Shuck, and Pamela Garcia. Front row are Brendan Shuck, Toby Gill, Javy Garcia, and Leo Kitzke. Not pictured are Naomi Tinoco, Hailey Anton, and Taos Harris. Photo courtesy of Kyrie Esarey.

An Eagle Project or Eagle Scout Service Project is a project that Boy Scouts complete to demonstrate leadership skills and benefit their community. The project is a culmination of a scout’s leadership training, and it is considered the most difficult advancement requirement.

Lennox Torres’ beneficiary is the Hugoton Animal Shelter. For his project Lennox and his fellow scouts, leaders and volunteers built outdoor exercise equipment and play equipment for the dogs at the shelter. They also built and assembled six new dog beds for some of the senior dogs.

Lennox began his scouting career in 2015. He started as a Bear in Pack 59 in Garden City, Kansas. He was so excited to be a Boy Scout and learn new things. He soon crossed over into the troop after finishing his Arrow of Light.

After moving to Hugoton, he received his First-Class Rank with Troop 189. Shortly after he joined Troop 40 and received his Star and Life Scout Ranks. This is when he began his Eagle Scout Project planning. This was not his initial plan for his project, but after speaking to several officials in the community and the Animal Control Officer, Stephanie Smith, this was the right project for him. He worked out a plan with ACO Smith to build six softer dog beds for those dogs that are a little older. They also came up with a plan to build a Toy Cube with several toys on bungie cords, a “Seesaw” for them to walk across and jump on, a Tug of War Pole and a Tunnel for the dogs to run through. After meeting with the Eagle Board for approval he and some of his fellow scouts visited local businesses to do fundraising and get material donations. When all the donations were collected, he invited his Troop and volunteers to help him collect supplies, build, and deliver his Eagle project to the Animal Shelter.

Lennox would like to thank the Hugoton Animal Shelter, Troop 40, and all the donors and volunteers. We hope the dogs love the new toys!