ANAHEIM — Boy Scout Troop 578, sponsored by Orange County Buddhist Church (OCBC) in Anaheim, has recognized six scouts who attained the rank of Eagle Scout during the year.
Troop 578 was established at OCBC in May 1978. With the ongoing contributions of Boy Scout adult leaders and alumni, the troop has maintained its traditions of leadership, adventure, citizenship, and service. Over four decades, Troop 578 has flourished, becoming one of Orange County Council’s largest and most esteemed troops, fostering over 250 Eagle Scouts. Through dedication to the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan, Troop 578 continues to shape young lives and uphold the spirit of scouting. Troop 578 eagerly anticipates hosting another Eagle Court of Honor on May 18 at OCBC, where it will celebrate the achievements of more scouts on their ascent to the rank of Eagle Scout.
On May 20, 2023, Alex Wakabayashi, Austen Lock, Matthew Nakagawa, Preston Sasaki, Zachary Mauldin, and Jaydon Yuki were recognized at an Eagle Court of Honor at OCBC. The ceremony was celebrated with their family, friends and fellow scouts. The boys were escorted by individuals who inspired them and were presented with Eagle neckerchiefs, badges and pins.
Special guests in attendance were OCBC Rev. Jon Turner, OCBC President JoAnn Tanioka and Rick Oishi, who represented OCBC Buddhist Women’s Association. The ceremony included an inspirational speech by Bryan Furumoto, who was the second scout to reach the rank of Eagle from Troop 578 after it was chartered in 1978. He was chosen as the next OCBC president in 2024, thus demonstrating the continuity of leadership and service to the community that was instilled in him through programs like scouting.
To be considered for the Eagle Scout rank, the highest award a Boy Scout may earn, a candidate must be active in his troop, hold a leadership position, earn at least 21 merit badges (including 13 Eagle-required badges), complete a leadership service project benefiting his local community, and receive letters of recommendation.
For the scouts, the leadership skills, organizational skills, sense of community and commitment are a foundation for a lifetime of active citizenship. The Eagle Award project is the culmination of all the work the boys put forth to advance through the ranks as well as something that fulfills a need within the community and leads to positive change.
Alex Wakabayashi, son of Edwin and Lori Wakabayashi, is a graduate of Ocean View High School in Huntington Beach. During his four years of high school, he was heavily involved in cross country and track and field, earning Scholar Athlete Awards. He was vice president of the Computer Science Club and of the Cards Club. In addition, he was a 2022/2023 International Baccalaureate Diploma candidate and earned a 2023 California Golden State Merit Diploma. He earned the Outstanding Delegate Award for Model United Nations and was on Honor Roll multiple years.
As a scout of Troop 578, Alex realized at a young age that scouting involved many fun experiences and relationships that were not available from school. As a result, he took pride in his accomplishments as a scout and made sure to participate in a multitude of opportunities that scouting provided. His favorite experiences were Northern Tier-2019 and Philmont Scout Ranch-2022 High Adventure trips. He enjoyed hiking and canoeing, and these outings, as well as others, gave him the chance to partake in many activities that pushed his boundaries. He acquired 100 nights of camping and 165 miles hiked and earned a whopping 69 merit badges.
Being with the troop for seven years, Alex has had much leadership experience, and he has grown more confident and mature from his time with the troop. He has served as Komori Patrol scribe, quartermaster, historian, patrol leader, patrol instructor, troop outdoor ethics guide, senior patrol leader (June 2022) and junior assistant scoutmaster (January-June 2023). Over the years, he has had many scout leaders and he has utilized his experiences with them to construct his own skills as a leader.
For his Eagle project, Alex led the build of a school-wide composting system for Spring View Middle School’s gardening program. The project will provide additional space for the gardening program to compost all of the school’s organic waste. The program will teach students about composting and how it can positively impact the environment. Alex led a team of scouts, who built four compost bins and a fence for security with his uncle, David Takamoto, as his advisor.
Alex will be continuing his education at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., where he will be pursuing a bachelor of science degree in data science.
Austen Lock, son of Chris and Jaime Lock, is now a senior at Los Alamitos High School and is active in cross country and track and field, receiving the Athletic and Scholar Athlete Award, and was on the LAHS Principal’s Honor Roll. He received the LAHS PTSA Academic Award of Excellence in May 2022. He is also a member of OCBC’s Daion Taiko group.
Austen has also been an active member of the Junior Youth Buddhist Association at OCBC for three years, serving as the vice president of fundraising on the cabinet last year. He has played SEYO basketball since second grade and has volunteered for the Chibiko basketball clinic for the last two years.
Austen has been in scouting since he was a Tiger Cub and bridged into Boy Scouts after the fifth grade. He has served in several leadership positions for Troop 578, including: Ninja Patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, instructor and troop quartermaster, and currently holds the position of assistant senior patrol leader.
His favorite Boy Scout trip was to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico in 2022.
For his Eagle project, Austen, with the guidance of ASM Mike Nishida, led scouts in building a backpack rack for OCBC sports teams. OCBC Sports was chosen as his beneficiary because of the impact that it had on Austen as a young boy. The mobile backpack rack keeps the gym floor free from tripping hazards while the youth basketball practices and games are in session. Eagle Coordiator Dr. John Nishimoto, ASM Edwin Wakabayashi and ASM Hiroki Noda were all instrumental in guiding Austen during his project.
In the future, Austen plans to attend a four-year university with an undeclared major.
Matthew Nakagawa, son of Jon and Sandra Nakagawa, is now a senior at Los Alamitos High School. He is active on the varsity basketball team and is a member of the California Scholastic Federation. He has also earned the Athletic Scholar Award and is on the Principal’s Honor Roll.
He has been an active member of the Junior Young Buddhist Association at OCBC for four years. He has played SEYO basketball with the same team since second grade and has volunteered for the Chibiko basketball clinic for the last two years as an assistant youth basketball coach.
Matthew has been in scouting at OCBC for 12 years. He completed the Boy Scouts of America National Youth Leadership Training in 2021. He is currently the senior patrol leader and has served in several prior leadership positions, including Falcon Patrol: outdoor ethics guide, scribe, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, troop guide, troop quartermaster and troop historian.
As an avid basketball player since age 5, Matthew led his fellow scouts in the planning, design, building and implementation of an NBA skills challenge course, along with 16 basketball injury-related first aid kits, for OCBC Sports as his Eagle project. With the guidance of ASM Sutai Wu and ASM Jon Mauldin, Matthew was able to create a project that would assist youth players with the fundamentals of basketball while having fun.
In the future, Matthew plans to study business at a four-year university.
Preston Sasaki, son of Daniel and Amy Sasaki, graduated from Valencia High School, near his hometown in Yorba Linda, where he was active on the cross country and track teams and received Athletic Awards as well as Scholar Athlete Awards. He was on the Honor Roll numerous times and received a Distinguished Scholar Award in 2019 and 2020.
Preston has been involved with OCBC since he was six. He was a member of Jr. Young Buddhist Association. He has played in SEYO basketball since second grade and loves going to all the tournaments.
Preston has served in several leadership positions in the troop, such as scribe, historian, assistant patrol leader, patrol instructor and instructor for the Lightning Bolts Patrol and troop senior patrol leader and junior assistant scout master. He has also gone to many events such as shotgun shooting, rock climbing, Rock Creek, and High Adventure trips to Northern Tier-Minnesota/Canada and Philmont Scout Ranch- New Mexico. Preston accumulated 106 miles hiked during his scouting career.
Preston’s Eagle project consisted of upcycling wooden pallets into compost bins for OCBC. With the guidance of ASM Earl King and ASM Ron Nakahira, he led scouts to construct three compost bins to dispose of organic waste from church events. With excess funds raised, Preston was able to purchase and donate a wood chipper to break down large wood branches for composting.
In the fall, he will be attending UC Irvine. He hopes to pursue a career in computer science.
Zachary Mauldin, son of Jon and Janis Mauldin, is currently a senior at Canyon High School in Anaheim. During his high school years, he was active on the baseball, water polo and swim teams, achieving a Scholar Athlete Award.
Zach has been in scouting for 12 years, starting as a Cub Scout and joining OCBC’s Bot Scout Troop 578 when he was 10. He attended a High Adventure trip to Northern Tier-Minnesota/Canada and completed 75 miles paddling a canoe. He completed the mile swim every summer camp and obtained the National Outdoor Achievement Award for aquatics and camping, and the Sangha Award for religious faith.
Zach served in various leadership positions throughout the years, such as Falcon Patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, scribe, historian, assistant senior patrol leader, troop guide, troop scribe, troop historian and junior assistant scout master.
With the guidance of ASM Sutai Wu, Zach’s Eagle project was a hope chest and game drive for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He led a group of scouts to build a hope chest to present items to wish recipients. Board games are given to wish kids when they discuss their wish, so he organized a drive for people to donate board games towards his cause as well. This organization is near and dear to Zach because he was a recipient of a wish himself during his own battle with cancer. He understands first-hand what hope and joy a game could bring to a child that is going through tough times. Zach presented his completed project to the Make-A-Wish Board of Directors and he was also recognized on KTLA News for his project.
Zach continues to use his leadership skills and gives back to his community by serving as a Make-A-Wish ambassador by speaking at fundraising and media events.
In the future, he plans to pursue business at a four-year college.
Jaydon Yuki, son of James and Donna Yuki, graduated from Pacifica High School, near his hometown of Cypress. During his high school years, he was active on the JV and varsity basketball teams, was JV captain, and a scholar athlete. He participated in the Red Cross, Interact Club and UNICEF Club.
He has also been an active member of the Jr. Young Buddhist Association at OCBC for four years and volunteers to scorekeep for SEYO basketball in Orange County.
Jaydon’s scouting career first started in Cub Scout Pack 578 as a Tiger. He crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 578 after attaining the Arrow of Light. He has served in several leadership positions for the Lightning Bolt Patrol: scribe, historian, quartermaster, assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, troop outdoor ethics guide, troop quartermaster, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader and junior assistant scout master.
He participated in Japan National Jamboree 2018 and Northern Tier-Minnesota/Canada Canoe Trek 2019, and was voted crew leader for the Philmont Scout Camp-New Mexico High Adventure Trek 2022. He has participated in various Troop 578 scouting activities: fishing the Sierras at Rock Creek, shotgun shooting, ocean fishing, snow camp, beach camp, rock climbing and backpacking. But his climb of Mt. Fuji in Japan was one of his most memorable and truly tested his physical and mental limits at age 13.
Jaydon accrued 105 camping nights, 135 miles hiked and 76 service hours during his seven years in scouting. He acquired the Hanano Award, the LeDuc Award and the Higa Award for his participation in various activities and achievements in Troop 578.
Jaydon’s Eagle project consisted of leading scouts to build six removable backpack racks for the Japanese School and Dharma School at OCBC. As a former student of both schools, he learned a lot about his culture and Buddhism and had a strong desire to support his community. He led scouts under the guidance of his Eagle project advisor, ASM Sutai Wu, ASM Edwin Wakabayashi and Eagle advisor Dr. John Nishimoto.
Jaydon is attending UC Riverside as a pre-business major.
All of the boys wish to thank Troop 578 scoutmaster, assistant scout masters (ASMs), parents, families, friends and the members of the charter organization, OCBC, for providing support during their scouting journeys. It truly takes a village to develop these Eagle Scouts from boys into men.
Congratulations to all of these young men for their accomplishments and we look forward to hearing more about how they proceed to be leaders in life.