Eagle Scout

Darleene Barrientos Mixing cement and building a retaining wall with concrete blocks is not most teenagers' idea of a fun Saturday activity. But for Jonathan Molayem, 17, the experience of laying down a sidewalk and building a wall will lead him to his Eagle Scout badge. Jonathan, a Glendale resident and Loyola High School student, coordinated the two-week project with the help of his comrades, Troop 50 out of Village Christian Church in Burbank.

Ben Henry of Boy Scout Troop 319 received the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouts, on Saturday, July 2. His Eagle Project consisted of painting a map of the world and two alphabet caterpillars on the playground at La Crescenta Elementary School. While a Boy Scout, Ben became a certified BSA lifeguard, was awarded the World Conservation Award, held the following positions in his troop; Assistant Patrol Leader, scribe, Bugler, Troop Guide, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader.

It was time for Crescenta Valley High School junior Charlson So to get his hands dirty as he prepared to finish his Eagle Scout project. So, currently ranked at the scout level of Life, was working hard to reach the ultimate ranking of Eagle Scout. His project was planned for Rosemont Middle School, the same school he attended just a couple of years ago, and focused on redesigning a section of the front lawn. The project, undertaken on a recent Saturday, was a culmination of years of dedication to the organization?

Rosemont Middle School students will have less mud to trample through when going on and off their middle and upper fields, thanks to Crescenta Valley High School senior Raffi Diradourian. Diradourian chose his former middle school as the site for his Eagle project, one of the last requirements that need to be completed in order to achieve the level of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts. Remembering how muddy the eastern area of the fields would get when it rained, Diradourian decided to install a more solid surface for students to walk across.

The hard work and dedication that Crescenta Valley High School graduate Kurt Freidenberger has contributed as a Boy Scout in Troop 319 was recognized as he was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at his Court of Honor in June. Achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is an accomplishment in itself, but for Freidenberger, who is autistic, the achievement was that much more rich. Being autistic for Freidenberger means he is unable to express himself or communicate with others the way most people do. However, he decided to not let this disability prevent him from making friends or pursuing his dreams.

Coty Dietel from Troop 317 in Montrose recently earned his Eagle Scout award and will be honored on June 19 in a special court of honor ceremony sponsored by Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Dietel, a graduating senior from La Cañada High School, is the son of Ronald and Susan Dietel of La Cañada. Dietel began his Scouting career as a Cub Scout in Pack 512 at La Cañada Elementary School where he earned the Arrow of Light award. As a Boy Scout, he earned 25 merit badges, attended dozens of outings and activities including rock climbing, river rafting, and most recently a special overnight program on the U.S.S.

Several locations throughout the city are set aside for youth to have a place to go in times of emergencies, and these are known as Safe Places. Mayor Laura Friedman issued a formal proclamation on March 13 naming March 18 to 24 as Safe Place Week in Glendale. As part of the celebration, the Safe Place Advisory Committee hosted an appreciation reception for all of its supporters on March 21 at the home of Advisory Committee Chairman Norman Mamey and his wife M.J. Karmi. More than 50 Safe Place network volunteers, site representatives and supporters attended, including representatives from the Glendale police and fire departments, Glendale public parks, Glendale Bee Line, YMCA and members of the Salvation Army Advisory Board.

October 1, 1955 to March 1, 2012 Glenn was a beloved son, brother, uncle and a graduate of Burbank High School '73, UCLA'78 B.A in History, Loyola Law School '82 J.D., Cum Laude.  As a young person he achieved the honor of Eagle Scout and enjoyed playing the trumpet in the Burbank High School marching band.  At UCLA he participated on the debate team, became an avid UCLA sports fan and created life-long friendships.  For the past 30 years, Glenn was engaged in all phases of litigation, arbitration, mediation and settlement.  He served at Wasserman, Comden and Casselman from 1987-2002 (achieving partner in 1997)

Sam Catalfamo, 16, of La Crescenta, will be recognized for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts, at an Eagle Court of Honor at 6 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in La Crescenta. For his Eagle project, Catalfamo planned and coordinated the construction of a 16-foot mounting block and ramp for disabled riders at Move A Child Higher, a Pasadena program that offers equine therapy to disabled children and disabled American veterans.

1957-2011 Dean Ohanian was born and raised in Burbank, attended Edison ES, Luther Burbank JHS and graduated John Burroughs HS in 1975. Dean was an outstanding swimmer; he won many ribbons and trophies in competitions for the Burbank YMCA and Burroughs Swim Teams. He also played water polo in high school and later for Humboldt State University.  Dean loved to travel and was fortunate to journey to England, France, Switzerland, Italy and Mexico in his lifetime.  Dean was an avid sportsman who loved camping, hiking and fishing.

Boy Scout Troop 127 named five of its Scouts Eagle Scouts. All children of first generation Armenian and Lebanese families, the Eagle Scouts are Christopher Raffi Ovanesian, Sasoon Amerian, Allan Robert Issai, Shunt Yervant Manoel, and Steven John Ayoob. All five young men are Glendale students. Each Scout earned 21 merit badges by providing service to the community and outdoors in addition to taking on leadership roles and organizing a service project. Ovanesian's project included donating four picnic tables and building two picnic benches for Brand Park.

  Peter Theodore Christos December 15, 1952 - September 3, 2011   Peter Christos, beloved husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle and friend, passed away September 3 rd after a short but valiant struggle with lung cancer. Peter is survived by his wife of over 35 years, Holly; their sons, Theodore, Alexander and William; his son Zach Morris; his mother, Elaine Tannors; brothers John Christos and Ted Tannors; and his sister Alexandra Bradfield. He is preceded in death by his father, Theodore Christos, and his sister Cathy Kirst.

The Columbus Elementary School mural — a depiction of the school’s mascot, the eagle — had been a welcoming sight to students and visitors for years. For William Kaufmann, 16, who attended Columbus for seven years and was raised near the school, it was a landmark. But the mural disappeared in 2008 along with several old campus buildings amid a major modernization project. It was strange to look over at the school and not see the eagle, William said. So when it came time to develop a project required to earn the Eagle Scout award from Boy Scouts of America, he immediately thought of his alma mater.

Perennial Rose Luncheon benefits youth L’aureole’s Perennial Rose Luncheon and Fashion Show is April 2 at the La Cañada Country Club, 5500 Godbey Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. Jeannine Jones, president, invites guests to come at 11 a.m. for the social hour. Luncheon will be served at noon. Chairwoman is Joan Taylor and co-chairwoman is Kathryn Kashuba. Fashions will be by Holiday Hats and Gowns. Narrating will be Eunice Wells and models are Susan Skiffington, Laurie Guay, Carol Pickett, B.J. Ottenfeld, Shirley dePerini, Mary Owen, Grace Sheldon-Williams, Georgia McAninch, Jory Potts and Jean Cassidy.

A local Boy Scout troop on Sunday celebrated the first time scouts from that troop have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. An Eagle Court of Honor event was hosted for Boy Scouts Armen Ter-Zakarian and Matthew Diradoorian. Diradoorian and Ter-Zakarian belong to Troop Ari 4 of the Homenetmen Glendale Ararat chapter, Troop 154 of the Verdugo Hills Council. Homenetmen is an Armenian union of scouting and sporting activities for young people. Ter-Zakarian, 18, is on the St. Francis High School tennis team and has played piano for 12 years.

Have any idea how to teach the Ten Commandments to a bunch of rowdy Boy Scouts? Just throw in a three-mile walk through Glendale, 10 churches and lunch, cooked and served by the Glendale Chapter of the Kiwanis. Close to 80 Scouts participated in the third annual Ten Commandments Hike on Saturday. They gathered in the parking lot of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (the Mormons) in Glendale to register, offer a flag salute and a prayer. A welcome and introductions were handled by Scout leaders from the Verdugo Hills Council.