Boy Scout with local ties earns Eagle Award
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
A Boy Scout with local ties recently earned the organization’s highest honor, the Eagle Scout Award, during a ceremony held Saturday — following in the footsteps of his father and cousin.
MATTHEW STEEVES, 
of Minot, recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout, making the third person in his family to receive the honor. Steeves has extended family in Aroostook County, including both sets of grandparents.
Matthew Thomas Steeves, of Minot, the son of Fred Steeves of Minot and Linda Knight of Lewiston, was recognized during a Court of Honor Ceremony on March 31 at the American Legion Post 150 in Mechanic Falls. Troop 139 of Minot and Mechanic Falls hosted the ceremony, with Scout Master Doug Santos presenting the award.
“To accomplish his Eagle Scout rank, Matthew earned 26 merit badges — five more than the 21 required for this award — and completed a community service project. For his project, Matthew directed several Scouts from his troop in building a large concrete fireplace at Camp Tall Pines in Poland. This camp serves the Special Olympics community,” said Scout Master Doug Santos.
Steeves and his brother, Andrew, began Scouting together in 2005. Steeves started as a Webelo in Pack 139, with Stacey Pfeil as his den leader. He’s been a member of Troop 139, charted by the American Legion Post 150, since 2006. He has held several leadership positions within his troop and is currently serving as their assistant Scout master.
Now 18, Steeves is a senior at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. He is completing his second year of the forestry program at Oxford Hills Technical School. He is also currently enrolled in a Class A truck driving program at OHTS.
Steeves is active in the Skills USA club, having served as vice president and parliamentarian. He received fourth place in the Welding Sculpture contest at the 2010 State of Maine 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 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 this prestigious award. His cousin, Lonney Steeves of Winthrop, earned his Eagle rank in 1976, and his father earned his in 1984.
Steeves has several family members here in Aroostook County. Grandparents Ralph and Helen Steeves live in Presque Isle. He also has relatives in Mapleton, including his other set of grandparents, Robert and Goldina Farley.
