Leaders dedicate lives to Scouts
Area Scoutmasters recall changes over 30 to 50 years
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Helping the next generation of youth become successful members of society is one of the reasons area residents have dedicated many years to lead Scouts.
For the past 56 years, Braceville resident Jim Dade has been involved in Scouting and is a leader for Troop 4008 in Leavittsburg. He said he remembers in 1973 he was representing Scouting at a United Way fundraiser at Packard Music Hall in Warren and saying, "People don't realize how important Scouting is and the many great opportunities it offers."
In 2020, he was with his Scouts at a dedication of the Norman Rockwell collection, which includes many images of scouting, at the Medici Museum of Art in Howland and how when he spoke there 37 years later, he was sharing the same message he did in 1973.
"I was an Eagle Scout, as were my sons. The lessons I learned in Scouting have applied in my life since I have been able to use many of the leadership skills in whatever I do. Now I feel it is my turn to provide a payback to help lead others just as others led me in Scouting,'' he said.
Dade said his two granddaughters were at the Rockwell dedication and now are Scouts.
"It is long overdue to allow girls in Scouting. The girls wanted to and should have the same opportunities as the boys. They are learning important life and leadership skills," Dade said.
He said what he has enjoyed most is when former Scouts thank him for being their leader.
Dade said he is proud of the more than 50 Eagle Scouts who have come from the local troop, including his own children and the parents of Scouts he now is leading.
Dade's wife, Bonnie, also has been active in Scouting, having served 33 years as a Boy Scout leader and 30 as a Girl Scout leader. She is leading Troop 5008 in Leavittsburg for the girls.
"Even when my own children were in Scouting, this was something I have always enjoyed doing. When I started, I was a leader for the Lake to River Girl Scouts and helped the girls with their Class Award, which later became their Gold Award,'' Bonnie said.
She said now she works with girls who are part of BSA.
"My father was a scoutmaster and my brother was an Eagle Scout. It's kinda in my family's blood. I really love the program. I was the scoutmaster for the Boy Scout troops before the girls became part. I have done training for other leaders and have been on the district and council level for 14 years. I have taken two troops to the national jamboree. The Scouting program gives every kid the opportunity to succeed at their own level and own pace," Bonnie said.
Ken LaPolla, who has served as a Scout leader for Troop 101 at Blessed Sacrament Parish for 37 years, said he enjoys working with the Scouts and seeing them grow from year to year.
"I have seen them grow and then become leaders not only in Scouting, but in the community," LaPolla said.
"Being a Scout leader is a way of giving back. It is something I have wanted to do for all that was done for me when I was a scout,'' LaPolla said.
He said after Scoutmaster Jim Potjunas died in a vehicle crash in 2017, LaPolla moved from assistant Scout leader to scoutmaster for Troop 101.
LaPolla said Troop 101 has been very active for more than 40 years and has had many Eagle Scouts including his son, John.
Jack Sullivan, 72, of Girard, began in scouting as a Cub Scout in 1955 and after serving in the Navy, he became a Scout leader in 1971. He is a leader for the troop at St. Rose Parish in Girard.
Sullivan said he remembers taking scouts on canoeing trips on the French River in Canada.
"Scouting has become like a family for the Scouts. I feel that all I have learned in Scouting helped me become a leader when I was in the Navy and when I worked for 44 years with the Trumbull Port Authority," he said.
He said many changes have been made over the 50 years he has been a scoutmaster, and the past year has proved challenging with meetings and events held virtually.
Sullivan said he has seen how Scouting helps shape local youth to be productive leaders in their communities, including at their jobs, at church and in the community through volunteering.