Terence M. Hannigan attains Eagle Rank

By Sandra Iruegas

Eagle Scout Terence M. Hanningan of Troop 410 was honored recently at Camp Huisache for attaining the highest rank possible in Boy Scouts.
Hannigan, who has been involved in Boy Scouts for 10 years, moved to Laredo from Newburgh, NY in 1998. He began Scouting as a Cub Scout in Pack 9 in Newburgh and then as a Boy Scout in Troop 17 in New Windsor, NY.
Eagle rank is achieved by less than one percent of all boys who participate in Scouting. Hannigan said he thought the journey to Eagle scout was a long one, but well worth with. Hannigan's move to Eagle rank culminated in community service projects that involve the planning, organization, and implementation of improvements in the play areas are used by children who reside with their mothers in the local women's shelter. He sought out the necessary funding for basketball hoops and improvements of existing basketball courts for the children. He also led Boy Scouts from his troop in the work required to install the basketball courts for the children. Troop members also installed the basketball hoops and laid out markings on the court, which were painted by the boys. He organized the troop members and other volunteers into a team that excavated part of a second court that was in disrepair. Once this was accomplished, concrete was poured and smoothed into the existing court to assure a safe and attractive area for children to play basketball games. Hannigan also used funds from Catholic Social Services to buy basketballs and air pumps for the women's shelter.
Along the way to his Eagle rank, Hannigan had to progress through five ranks, complete a series of merit badges, demonstrate leadership skills, and provide service to the troop and local community. Each merit badge requires the development of skills and knowledge about specific areas such as first aid, citizenship, financial and personal management, camping, hiking, and other activities.
Hannigan, a junior at Alexander High School, is also a student in the Art Magnet program and has been active in the Studio Art League, theatrical productions, and debate. He is also active in Habitat for Humanity and dedicates one Saturday each month to volunteering his time and energy to the construction of a house in the River Hills Subdivision in South Laredo.
How has Hannigan found the time to be so involved in Boy Scouts and other numerous activities and also attend high school? Hannigan laughed and said, "That's a tough one, my parents found the time for me. The Boy Scouts are pretty flexible about hours because they know how important school is," he added.
Hannigan plans to attend either Texas A & M International University or the University of Texas at San Antonio as a student. He is a member of San Martin de Porres Parish and currently works as a waiter at Sami's Pizza and Pasta. His brother, Andrew, a freshman at United High School, is also a Scout and holds the rank of Star. His mother, Norma Stephens Hannigan, is a nurse practitioner at the Mines Road Clinic of Doctors Hospital and his father, Dr. Terence P. Hannigan, is a psychologist and director of Texas A & M International's Student Counseling Services and Disability Services for Students at TAMIU.