MINOT — Matthew Thomas Steeves of Minot has earned the highest advancement award offered by the Boy Scouts of America, the Eagle Scout Award.

Steeves was recognized in a Court of Honor Ceremony at the American Legion Post 150 in Mechanic Falls. Troop 139 of Minot and Mechanic Falls hosted the ceremony, with Scoutmaster Douglas Santos presenting the award.

To accomplish his Eagle Scout rank, Steeves earned 26 merit badges, five more than the 21 required for the award, and completed a community service project. For his project, Steeves directed several Scouts from his troop in building a large concrete fireplace at Camp Tall Pines in Poland. The camp serves the Special Olympics community.

Steeves and his brother, Andrew, began scouting together in 2005. Matthew started as a Webelos in Pack 139 with Stacey Pfeil as his den leader, and has been a member of Troop 139, chartered by the American Legion Post 150 of Mechanic Falls, since 2006. He held several leadership positions in his troop and is serving as their Assistant Scoutmaster.

Steeves, now 18, is a senior at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. He is completing his second year of the forestry program at Oxford Hills Technical School and is enrolled in a Class A truck driving program at OHTS. He is active in the Skills USA Club at OHTS, having served as vice president and parliamentarian.

He received fourth place in the welding sculpture contest at the 2010 State Skills USA competition. He earned a bronze medal in the job skills demo contest for presenting how to do “Reduced Down Time” on a chainsaw in the 2011 competition.

He earned the student of the month award at OHCHS in May 2010. Steeves intends to continue his education in heavy equipment operation and has applied to the Washington County Community College.

Steeves is the second generation of his family to earn the Eagle Rank and the third in his family to earn the award. His cousin Lonney Steeves of Winthrop earned his Eagle Rank in 1976 and his father, Fred Steeves of Minot, earned his in 1984. Steeves is the son of Fred Steeves of Minot and Linda Knight of Lewiston.

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