Sep 9, 2012 By Meg Thompson for Heraldstandard.Com 3 min read

An area Boy Scout finished his Eagle Scout project early because he needed time for additional commitments and helping other Scouts.

The Eagle Scout project was to clean and renovate the veterans memorial in Star Junction.

“It was one thing off the checklist,” said Christian Katic of Perryopolis.

The 16-year-old Frazier High School student anticipated that his activities would begin competing for his time more and more. He is involved in track and field and cross country, he is a drummer in the marching band and he has other endeavors outside of school.

Katic said his schedule will be busy, but he plans to help in the Boy Scouts as much as he can in the years to come. He has been involved in Scouting since he was in first grade.

“Boy Scouts has given me a sense of belonging. It has taught me different skills to live with. It was fun. I’ve had good times with my friends, and I’ve met a lot of new kids,” said Katic, a member of Troop 625 in Perryopolis.

Katic was able to demonstrate his developed leadership skills when he renovated the veterans memorial in Star Junction in three stages last spring.

“I was approached by two Star Junction Centennial Society members about the project,” Katic said.

The memorial is along the route Katic runs often. He said it was covered by overgrown bushes and wasn’t visible.

“I knew it was in disrepair and needed work. I’d been asked to do other projects, but this was a worthy project. It would benefit the community the most,” he said.

With the help of other Scouts and their families, Katic pulled out the old bushes and scrubbed down the memorial itself. Next, he and his crew cleaned the bricks and weeded the area. Replanting and landscaping was the final stage.

Katic started the project in March, and completed it by April. He received his Eagle Scout award at his Court of Honor ceremony at the end of August at St. John’s Roman Catholic Church in Perryopolis.

He said he was motivated to stay with the Boy Scouts because his parents have helped him a lot. He felt it was “only right” if he went the whole way.

“I’m a determined person. I try to follow through,” Katic said.

A son of Kevin and Bibiane Katic, Christian plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh when he graduates to study to be a physician’s assistant.