Pictured above, left to right, are Sam Milstone, Colten Yoder (Eagle Scout), Jerry Yoder (Colten’s father), Jon Lade and Zach Strang. (Photo supplied)

Colten Glenn Yoder, age 19, of rural Bristol is the latest local youth to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. The honor was conferred upon him at a ceremony on May 12. Colten is the son of Jerry Yoder and Renee Baker, and is currently pursuing a college degree in social work.

Colten has been in scouting for eight years. He is currently a member of Boy Scout Troop 117, which is hosted by Hillcrest United Methodist Church in Elkhart, where Jim Milstone is the scoutmaster.

For his major project (one of the requirements for attaining the Eagle Scout badge) Colten took the lead in planning and constructing a Peace Garden at the church which hosts his scout troop. The garden consists of flowers and landscaping surrounding a large wooden cross.

The project was completed in March 2011 and has been maintained by Colten and the scouts ever since. The new Eagle Scout dedicated the garden to his troop and to the memory of his brother, Justin Yoder, who died at the age of 10.