On July 18, Antonio James Colecio, son of Jennifer and Anthony Colecio of Weatherly, was awarded the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Rank during a Court of Honor. Antonio is a member of Hazle Township Boy Scout Troop 790, a troop sponsored by Welsh Congregational Church, Hazle Township.

For his Eagle project, Antonio re-landscaped the base of the flagpole and painted the flagpole for the American Legion Post 360 in Weatherly. This had a big impact on the grounds of the Legion since it is now maintenance-free, it is easier for the Legion members to take the flag down and put it back up by the walkway to the flagpole that was created.

This project will also impact the community since members of the community will see the beauty of the flag and grounds as they pass by the American Legion Post 360 and remember all those present and past who fight for the freedom of the United States of America. The project took approximately 258 hours to complete.

He received donations and discounts from Lowe’s Home Improvement in West Hazleton and Bedrock Gardens in Hazleton.

State Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon, donated a new American flag that flies at the top of the newly painted flagpole.

Weatherly borough employees helped with the painting of the flagpole. Bruce Doney donated a POW MIA statue that Antonio painted and placed on the grounds to the right of the flagpole. The American Legion Post 360 members provided a financial donation toward the project. Many family members as well as fellow Scouts and leaders graciously donated their time to help with the project.

Upon being awarded the Eagle Scout rank he has successfully earned 36 merit badges and is a member of the Order of the Arrow, which is the National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America.

Antonio attends Weatherly Area High School in Weatherly and will graduate in 2021. He is employed part-time with Whitewater Challengers and Paul Stewart Landscaping in Weatherly.