Along with being a multi-sport athlete and an honors student, Tyler Weiss can now add ‘Eagle Scout’ to his resume
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
After donating 211 new backpacks to the Bridgeton Public School District, Mantua resident Tyler Weiss is ready to receive the highest Boy Scout rank, Eagle Scout, with Mantua Boy Scout Troop 7083.
The Clearview Regional High School senior has been involved with the Boy Scouts since he was a little kid with Mantua Cub Scout Pack 45. Weiss achieved the highest honor there, Arrow of Light, and is now on his way to repeat that success in the Boy Scouts.
“It was something we never expected when he became Cub Scout,” said Weiss’ mom, LisaAnn. “It’s big! We just figured this was good for him to be involved in the community.”
For his Eagle Scout project, Weiss packed hundreds of backpacks with school supplies, such as binders, rulers, glue, pencils and more, and delivered them to Bridgeton for at-risk youth and for the social services staff to re-distribute.
“These kids come to school with nothing, and we wanted to give them the right tools,” said LisaAnn. “We take for granted that we have the basics when they don’t, and they need help getting the basics.”
Tyler said he chose Bridgeton as the recipient because his mom is from there, and because he believes they deserve as much help as Camden receives. The idea for backpacks was inspired by his mom who had done similar projects in the past with the Gloucester County Women’s Club.
“It took me all summer,” said Tyler. “It kind of started in May. They gave me a timeline to finish, and I got it done before school started.”
Tyler directed his family — mom, dad, Michael, and younger brother, Mason, who is also rising in the ranks to be an Eagle Scout — fellow Scouts and other adult volunteers for nearly 100 hours to complete the project.
In his spare time, Tyler gives back through St. John’s Lutheran Church’s food pantry, and is on Clearview’s wrestling, soccer and lacrosse teams, as well as being an active member in the National Honor Society.
“If I managed my time, it wasn’t hard,” he said. “If you’re bored, you’re doing something wrong.”
“It’s not just sports or Scouts, he had a part-time job over the summer, which is wonderful,” said LisaAnn. “You want to raise well-rounded kids who will assist others.”
Tyler said doing the project felt rewarding and that he’ll always continue to give back whenever possible.
While he sorts through his college applications and acceptance letters, Tyler added he wants to assist Mason in achieving Eagle Scout rank.
Tyler will officially become an Eagle Scout in the spring during a ceremony.
