David M. Banko of Neshannock Township was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout by New Wilmington Boy Scout Troop 733.

The award, the highest in the Boy Scouts, came after six years with 98 miles of hiking, 68 nights of camping, and 29 merit badges.

The presentation was made at an Eagle Court of Honor, Aug. 2, at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church.

David’s Eagle Service Project consisted of leading Scouts and other volunteers in landscaping at American Legion Post 343 in downtown New Castle.

Then, the project went indoors where approximately 60 trophies were cleaned and polished, and other cleanup occurred.

David started his scouting experience in first grade (1997) as a Tiger Cub in Neshannock Pack 743. He progressed through Cub Scouts, earned the highest award — Arrow of Light — and crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 733 in May 2002.

As a Boy Scout, David held several leadership positions up through Senior Patrol Leader. He contributed numerous service hours. He summer-camped at Camp Bucoco four times as well as the National Jamboree in 2005. With the troop, David camped and visited Gettysburg, and twice did the bike trip on the C&O Canal Towpath from Antietam to Washington, D.C. In 2006, he was a member of the Troop 733 Honor Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. David was one of three Troop 733 Scouts to backpack 86 miles at Philmont Scout Ranch, in the Sangre de Christo Range of the Rocky Mountains in New Mexico, in 2007.

The Eagle Badge was presented by Scoutmaster Dean Antoniazzi to David’s mother Linda Banko to pin it onto his chest. His father, assistant Scoutmaster Michael Banko, put on David the Eagle Scout neckerchief and slide. David then, in turn, applied Eagle lapel pins to his parents.

Special guests at the Court of Honor included uncles Michael Carkitto of Long Valley, N.J., and Steve Banko of New Castle — both of whom offered special presentations.

David is entering his senior year at Neshannock High School, where he is a varsity soccer letterman and a member of the Ski Club.

David is a member of the Mary. Mother of Hope Parish youth group. For three years, he’s been cast as St. Peter in the group’s Tennebrae passion play.