Twin Eagle Scouts chose projects to ‘give back’ to those who helped them
October 21, 2024 at 7:00 a.m.
Twin Brothers Ryan and Cole Malinowski chose Eagle Scout projects as a way to say thanks to their community and church.
Ryan made an outside classroom for children at New Albany School, Cinnaminson. Cole created a prayer garden of the Stations of the Cross on the grounds of Resurrection Parish, Delran, where they are parishioners and participate in the music ministry. Ryan plays the guitar, and Cole plays the bass for Sunday Masses.
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America.
Deciding on a Project
Ryan said when it was time to pick a project, “I was just thinking about how I wanted to give back to something that has helped me in the past; my school district, which is a great one, Cinnaminson, really has helped me. … I decided I would help out the elementary school.”
Cole wanted to give back to his church because “the church has really helped me a lot personally, spiritually, mentally.”
They also saw a connection between involvement in their parish and in Scouts; Ryan said, “They kind of intertwined.”
“People that have faith, it grounds you,” added Cole, whose outdoor Stations of the Cross project took six months to complete. “It has added more value to my life and a lot more focus, and that gave me a lot of direction.”
The Malinowski brothers are recognized at a Boy Scouts meeting. Courtesy photo
“So many people showed up [to help], and it really meant a lot to me,” he said. “It has been nice to see many parishioners using the spot for prayer.”
Ryan’s outside classroom project took about four months. Becoming an Eagle Scout “comes with the notion that you’ve got to live to be your best self and prove that, once you’re an Eagle Scout, you’ll want to maintain it and always stay an Eagle Scout,” he said.
Both said becoming an Eagle Scout was a long journey of hard work, perseverance and determination, but filled with moments they’ll always remember.
Cole said, “it’s really nice to be able to have a project finished at the end of it that can benefit the community.”
As seniors, both students also are involved in their schools. At Cinnaminson High School, Ryan plays the cello in the school’s orchestra and runs track and cross-country. At Burlington County Institute of Technology, Cole is a member of the National Honor Society and studies and works HVAC co-op. He participated in Skills USA and has been the cross-country team captain.
Advice for Younger Boys
They shared their advice for young people thinking of joining any group, including Boy Scouts.
“Go for it,” said Cole. “It will be a fun experience, you’ll get to make new friends, develop memories, and do things that you wouldn’t be able to do if you weren’t involved in the program.”
Ryan added, “Zone in on what you want to do, and if that is Scouts, I would follow through with it.”
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Twin Brothers Ryan and Cole Malinowski chose Eagle Scout projects as a way to say thanks to their community and church.
Ryan made an outside classroom for children at New Albany School, Cinnaminson. Cole created a prayer garden of the Stations of the Cross on the grounds of Resurrection Parish, Delran, where they are parishioners and participate in the music ministry. Ryan plays the guitar, and Cole plays the bass for Sunday Masses.
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America.
Deciding on a Project
Ryan said when it was time to pick a project, “I was just thinking about how I wanted to give back to something that has helped me in the past; my school district, which is a great one, Cinnaminson, really has helped me. … I decided I would help out the elementary school.”
Cole wanted to give back to his church because “the church has really helped me a lot personally, spiritually, mentally.”
They also saw a connection between involvement in their parish and in Scouts; Ryan said, “They kind of intertwined.”
“People that have faith, it grounds you,” added Cole, whose outdoor Stations of the Cross project took six months to complete. “It has added more value to my life and a lot more focus, and that gave me a lot of direction.”
The Malinowski brothers are recognized at a Boy Scouts meeting. Courtesy photo
“So many people showed up [to help], and it really meant a lot to me,” he said. “It has been nice to see many parishioners using the spot for prayer.”
Ryan’s outside classroom project took about four months. Becoming an Eagle Scout “comes with the notion that you’ve got to live to be your best self and prove that, once you’re an Eagle Scout, you’ll want to maintain it and always stay an Eagle Scout,” he said.
Both said becoming an Eagle Scout was a long journey of hard work, perseverance and determination, but filled with moments they’ll always remember.
Cole said, “it’s really nice to be able to have a project finished at the end of it that can benefit the community.”
As seniors, both students also are involved in their schools. At Cinnaminson High School, Ryan plays the cello in the school’s orchestra and runs track and cross-country. At Burlington County Institute of Technology, Cole is a member of the National Honor Society and studies and works HVAC co-op. He participated in Skills USA and has been the cross-country team captain.
Advice for Younger Boys
They shared their advice for young people thinking of joining any group, including Boy Scouts.
“Go for it,” said Cole. “It will be a fun experience, you’ll get to make new friends, develop memories, and do things that you wouldn’t be able to do if you weren’t involved in the program.”
Ryan added, “Zone in on what you want to do, and if that is Scouts, I would follow through with it.”