Eric Plath

Eric Plath from Westville, Indiana, was awarded a $2,500 Emmett J. Doerr Memorial Scout Scholarship. He belongs to St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in the Diocese of Gary and is a member of Scouting America Troop 998 in the La Salle Council.

Plath truly embodies the idea of servant leadership. When asked why volunteering is important to him, he responded, “I regularly volunteer at St. Mary’s food pantry…I personally believe this food pantry is exactly what Jesus advocated for when he was on earth. People volunteer to give supplies to the poor and less fortunate just as Jesus did.”

In service to the Catholic Church, Plath volunteered at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception as an altar server, usher and youth group member. He also volunteered as a food server and choir member. Plath earned three of the Catholic Religious Emblems offered by Catholic Scouting America, including the Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei and Ad Altare Dei.

Plath served his community through extensive environmental and conservation work. He volunteered with the Indiana Dunes National Park, the Northwest Indiana Paddling Association and the American Canoe Association (ACA). He also served with St. Mary’s food pantry, participated in autism charity events at Sharing Meadows and volunteered at La Porte County animal shelters.

At Marquette Catholic High School, Plath is a member of the National Honor Society. He participated in the school band for over four years as an officer, served in campus ministry as an altar server, and was a three-sport varsity athlete, including track and field, weightlifting and serving as the team captain for the cross-country team.

In Scouting, Plath held numerous leadership positions in his troop, including senior patrol leader, and served on the council camp staff at Camp ToPeNeBee. For his Eagle Scout Project, Plath led a team of volunteers to restore the Nature Play Zone at the Paul H. Douglas Center in the Indiana Dunes National Park. As lead singer and guitarist of Massasauga, one of the youngest touring rock bands in the United States, he organized a benefit concert that raised $5,000 to fund the removal of invasive trees, the installation of a 24-person fire ring and the placement of educational kiosks to revitalize the area for local children and families.

This year, Catholic Scouting America awarded fifteen service scholarships totaling $40,000 to recognize Catholic Scouts nationwide for outstanding service and leadership in four areas: the Catholic Church, their community, school and Scouting. Since 2005, Catholic Scouting America (NCCS) has awarded a total of $348,000 in scholarships to 146 Scouts nationwide.