Milestones

Cary boy earns family's 4th Eagle

Ryan Whitley of Cary has attained his Eagle Scout rank, the highest achievement in Boy Scouting.

A senior at Panther Creek High School in Cary, Ryan is a member of Troop 200 at First United Methodist Church in Cary.

For his Eagle project, Ryan designed and built a large shed to house archery equipment at Cary YMCA.

He is the son of Rob and Brenda Whitley, and is the fourth member of the extended Whitley family to receive his Eagle rank.

Triangle man is valedictorian

Jim Kitchen of Chapel Hill graduated with honors as valedictorian of the 2009 University of Tennessee-Knoxville Executive MBA class.

Kitchen is president of Real Property Development, a commercial real estate company in the Triangle that specializes in multi-family and triple-net acquisitions.

He earned his undergraduate degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Knightdale boy aids the disabled

Chase Shermer of Knightdale received his Eagle Scout rank at a Court of Honor at Trinity Presbyterian Church. The Eagle rank is the highest achievement in Boy Scouting.

Chase is a member of Troop 236 in Raleigh and is a sophomore at North Raleigh Christian Academy.

For his Eagle Scout project, Chase led a team of Scouts and adults who built four picnic tables specially designed for use by patients at Wellington Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Knightdale who use wheelchairs.

His parents are Tim and Jennifer Shermer of Knightdale.

Chapel Hill boy wins music contest

With his original composition for piano and violin, Michael Bennett of Chapel Hill won the Southern Division of the 2009-10 Music Teachers National Association's student composition competition.

Michael advances to the nationals with his winning piece, "Stained Glass and Birds." The national winner's composition will be performed during a Winners Concert in Albuquerque, N.M., in March.

Michael, a home-schooled fifth-grader, studies composition, piano and organ and was a member of the 2009 N.C. Boys Choir.

His parents are Kelly and Bruce Bennett of Chapel Hill, and his grandparents are Sherry and Weston Harris of Pittsboro.

Durham Scout makes Eagle

Mitchell Feldman of Durham has earned Boy Scouting's highest rank, Eagle Scout.

For his Eagle project, Mitchell led his troop in improving the trail and installing four benches at the New Hope Nature Preserve, which spans Durham and Orange counties.

A senior at Cardinal Gibbons High School, he is the son of Don Feldman and Beth Stockstill of Durham and the grandson of George and Pat Stockstill of Raleigh.

Preschool project earns Eagle

Kyle Stallings of Raleigh has attained the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in Boy Scouting.

For his Eagle project, Kyle planned and led construction of two planters and a bench for the pre-kindergarten inclusion class taught by Lynn Young at Lacy Elementary School. The planters are wheelchair-accessible.

Kyle is in Troop 207 at Forest Hills Baptist Church, led by Archie Futrell.

A 2009 graduate of Athens Drive High School, he is a freshman at Brevard College. His parents are Lisa Stallings and Casson Stallings of Raleigh.

Booklet brings Silver Award

Sarah Isabel Collins of Raleigh has earned her Girl Scout Silver Award, the second-highest achievement in Girl Scouting.

For her Silver Award project, Sarah developed a booklet to teach those new to the sport about figure skating.

Sarah is the daughter of Linda Anderson Collins and David Joseph Collins. She is a member of Troop 221.