Fort Bend Lifestyles and Homes Magazine May 2009: Fort Bend Campus News 1

Rohan Kulangara Earns Eagle Scout Rank - Rohan Kulangara of New Territory’s Troop 616 achieved the highest rank in Boy Scouts, Eagle Scout, on March 31. In order to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout, Rohan completed a leadership service project and the William T. Hornaday Conservation Award Project by removing invasive Chinese Tallow Trees at Sheldon Lake State Park in Houston. This project benefited the environment because the prairie that has been rid of the Chinese Tallow tree can now be replanted with native grasses and plants, which will contribute to the restoration and preservation of the park ’s native ecological system. The William T. Hornaday Award program encourages and recognizes scouts who design, lead and carry out conservation projects that are based on scientific principles and practices.

Rohan began scouting as a Webelos with Pack 616 in New Territory and earned Cub Scout ’s highest award, the Arrow of Light. As a conservationist Rohan has earned recognitions including: Conservation Good Turn, Leave No Trace, Good Turn for America. Rohan ’s active commitment to conservation and community service has earned him the prestigious President ’s Gold and two Bronze Volunteer Service Awards. He has also earned the Sam Houston Area Council Conservation Award and the William T. Hornaday Badge for distinguished service to the environment. Rohan has completed several training classes to benefit his community including American Red Cross First Aid and CPR certification every year as a Boy Scout, and has earned Emergency Preparedness, and the BSA Ready and Prepared Gold and Silver awards.

Rohan, 14, son of Sonal and George Kulangara and brother of Roshan Kulangara who is also a Boy Scout with Troop 616, is currently a freshman at Austin High School where he plays the bassoon with the Bulldog Marching Band, is on the freshman basketball team, and is active with the Y.E.S. (Youth Expanding Service) program.

Tomahawk District Eagle Luncheon - Each year the Boy Scouts of America from the Tomahawk District holds an annual Eagle Luncheon honoring the Eagle graduates. Bob Dodd, southern region district commissioner, and Helen Soto, crew advisor, planned and coordinated the event. Ron Jones was on hand to provide the technical sound and lighting support and Crew 1960 presented the Colors and coordinated the buffet lunch. Congressman Pete Olson was the quest speaker and congratulated them as he gave an inspiring speech on the many great men in this country ’s history who are Eagles.

The 2008 Tomahawk District Eagle Scouts are: Troop 38 - Vishal Desai, Daniel Frantz, Brett Hatley; Troop 103 - Joseph Vaughan; Troop 148 - Andrew Morton; Troop 294 - Michael Campbell; Troop 301 - Joash Gonsalves, John Grobe, Joshua Lueders, Michael McKey; Troop 330 - Alex McGuffin; Troop 441 - Alexander Ambrocik, Cory Cogley, Evan Cogley, Scott Culp, Stephen Font, Taylor Henry, Daniel Kiang, William Mosher, John Murphy, Christopher Story, Philip Tipton; Troop 446 - Jeremy Tsui; Troop 615 - David Wolf; Troop 616 - Ankur Chandra, Taylor Copeland, Steven Victory; Troop 659 - Ronald Jowell, Ryan Mullins, Rami Rukab, Neil Severson; Troop 731 - Samuel Gerwin, Christopher Klosowsky; Troop 828 - Charles Bourgeois, Vincent Cheung, Michael Eberhardt, Cody Mendoza, Anthony Nguyen, Michael Tann; Troop 911 - Shannon Darbonne, Austin Holmes, Wesley Lackey, Patrick Willis; Troop 1116 - Walter Bryan, Kush Parikh; Troop 1248 - David Williamson, Taylor Wilson; Troop 1282 - James Ferguson, Evan Hahn; Troop 1294 - Jason Palfreyman; Troop 1316 - Matthew Jones, Joshua Petticrew; Troop 1424 - Brian Farley, Lee Fowler; Troop 1631 - John Hidalgo, Justin Mathew; Troop 1656 - Russell Harrison; Troop 1845 - William Barto, Nicholas Brydon, Matthew Cohagan, Brian Gawlik, Christopher LeSage, Stephen Ogier, Minh Pho, David Villarreal; C1195 - Nathan Scovill; and C1960 - Taron Soto.

Girl Scouts Travel the World Without Leaving Houston - Girl Scouts from Troop 724 from Rainbow Stars Service Unit in New Territory made a trip around the world with the help of the Houston Ballet ’s Ben Stevenson Academy. The program, Around the World in 7 Dances, taught girls about the language, music, food, culture and dance from each of the seven continents.

ABC’s Melanie Lawson provided narration to the program as Mother Earth. Around the World in 7 Dances provided a unique blend of information, visual aids and dance. As each continent was introduced, dancers displayed posters of cities, people, geography, food and culture of the area. Around the World in 7 Dances provided a unique opportunity for the girls to observe the creativity and excitement of the Houston Ballet.

The Girl Scouts were also able to learn what it is like to be a dancer with the Houston Ballet, the difference between pointe shoes and ballet slippers, how performers change costumes so quickly and many other interesting facts.

Calvary Episcopal Student Wins Libraries’ Teen Art Contest - Amanda Sofía Carrillo, a sophomore at Calvary Episcopal School in Richmond, submitted the winning entry in Fort Bend County Libraries ’ Teen Art Contest for the 2009 Summer Reading Club.

Amanda’s drawing was chosen as the entry that best portrays the theme for this year’s Teen Summer Reading Club—Time Twistin. Her drawing will be used on the bookmarks and flyers for the Teen Summer Reading Club at Fort Bend County Libraries.

Wild West Fun at St. Laurence Catholic School - Motivational and inspirational speaker Julian Franklin spent the afternoon entertaining first-grade through fifth-grade students at St. Laurence.

His Wild West Reading Show had the kids roaring with laughter with the antics of Roosevelt Rat and David Hopperfield. The adventure began when David Hopperfield (a “magic” bunny rabbit) was accidentally transported back in time to 1845, the year Texas became a state. The students had to unlock many Texas secrets to save the bunny.

The talking drawing of Jean Lafitte and the magic tricks of Roosevelt Rat were also a huge hit. The audiences were so enthralled that they didn ’t even notice the mini-lessons on Texas history facts.