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Ceres teen a top scout
Kadin R
In just seven years, Kadin Richardson of Ceres has worked his way up to the scouting organizations highest level that of Eagle Scout. - photo by Photo courtesy of Don Cool

Seven years ago, Kadin Richardson got involved in scouting when he joined the Webelos in Cub Scout Pack 132. This month he realized his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest rank within the organization. Only about four percent of all scouts achieve the honor.

An Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held for the 16-year-old Central Valley High School sophomore on Saturday, March 10.

"When I was a member of Cub Scouts/Webelos Pack 132, I earned the Arrow of Light award," said Kadin. "That inspired me to go as far as I could in Boy Scouts."
He moved up from Cub Scouts to Troop 9 of the Boy Scouts in 2013.

For his Eagle Scout project, Kadin helped plan, organize and execute a project that focused on educating the public about storm drain safety and water conservation. Richardson and 18 other scout members glued metal warning labels near 200-plus storm drains, documented maintenance needs and passed out pamphlets throughout the Eastgate neighborhood on a Saturday a year ago. The labels warned about dumping toxic substances - such as used motor oil and antifreeze - into storm drain opening. The project had him working with Public Works Director Jeremy Damas and Water Resources Analyst Loretta Webb.

"He's really a high achiever," said his mother, Sherrie Richardson. "Anything that he starts he goes 110 percent and he really likes to help other people and try new things. I believe that that's been his main drive with scouting."

In addition to making Eagle Scout, Kadin has been nominated by the Veterans of Foreign Wars to become "Scout of the Year" at the region. That puts him in the running to be considered for the national award and a $5,000 scholarship.

Now that he's attained Eagle Scout status, Kadin plans to stay in scouting longer to help other boys along. Sherrie said scouting has built up Kadin's confidence and exposed him to leadership roles and activities like sailing, kayaking, rowing, camping and shooting.

Troop 9 meets at Caswell Elementary School at 7 p.m. every Wednesday during the school year.

Becoming an Eagle Scout will be an impressive item on his resume. After high school, Kadin has talked about going into Air Force or becoming a marine biologist or mechanical engineer.

While in high school he has been carrying a 4.0 grade point average and on the gold honor roll every year. Kadin also is a member of the Central Valley High School varsity golf team and has attained several FFA degrees and has won drama awards.

His community service as a scout has included collection of pop tabs for Ronald McDonald House Charities coordinated with Ceres Lions Club, helping maintain the Eastman Lake Ranger Station, assisting with the annual Scouting For Food collection, Ceres Lions Club Breakfast and "Love Ceres" community clean up. He has also repaired and donated bikes to the needy. Outside of school and scouting, Kadin also has helped volunteer at the Ceres Street Faire, the American Cancer Society's Discovery Shop, feeding the homeless at the Turlock Gospel Mission and twice helping at the Ceres Relay for Life.

Kadin is the fifth generation in his family to reside in Ceres. He is the son of Sherrie Richardson and Jerry Flores.