2025 Troop 764 Eagle Scouts, from left: Evan Doi, Adam Hladek, Spencer Oldoerp, Conrad Oldoerp, Hanzo Rehm, Henry Kim, Jordan Yip, Jonas Merchan, and Aaron Nishimoto.
2025 Eagle cohort lifts VJCC-based scout troop to 214 total.
A year after 10 members of Venice Japanese Community Center-sponsored Scouts BSA Troop 764 were formally awarded their Eagle Scout rank, nine more young men from the troop were elevated to scouting’s highest rank.
Evan Doi (Venice High School), Adam Hladek (Summit View West), Henry Kim (Santa Monica High School), Jona Merchan (Loyola High School), Aaron Nishimoto (Palisades Charter High), Spencer Oldoerp (Loyola High School), Conrad Oldoerp (St. John Bosco High School), Hanzo Rehm (El Segundo High School) and Jordan Yip (Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies) were recognized at Troop 764’s annual Eagle Court of Honor on May 3 at the VJCC.
Serving as master of ceremonies was Sodoo Gadal, who was part of the 10-member 2024 Eagle Scout cohort that included Mason Beard, Benjamin Blackburn, Aidan Brady, Caiden Chen, Evan Chun, Diego Heard, Kai Johnson, Luke Miura and Zaxxon Rehm.
In his welcome statement to the boys’ family members and friends that filled the VJCC’s gymnasium, Troop 764 Parent President Elton Doi said, “Tonight’s event is about all our scouts. Their success is due to the contributions of our scoutmasters, our adult leaders and all of our parents. … We hope you recognize that your participation and contributions and leadership of the troop make this a very special place to be for all of our scouts.”
Scoutmaster Dan Regan, referring to Troop 764’s signature Eagle Scout Court of Honor staging that includes individual slide shows, special lighting and other effects, said, “Our troop has many great traditions, and one of the best is the way that we honor our Eagle Scouts and Eagle families.”
Gadal recognized the special guests present at the ceremony, who included Tracy McGee, constituent engagement deputy for Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell; Sean Silva, representing the office of Los Angeles City Councilmember Traci Park (CD-11); Patrick Gamble, Western Los Angeles County Council director of field services; Tom Parker, WLACC vice president of operations; Matthew Skinner, Crescent Bay District advancement chair; Wes Shimoda, VJCC chairperson; Ted Nishimura, VJCC executive vice president; former Troop 764 scoutmasters Mark Morimoto, Bill Conroy and Eric Gadal; former Troop 764 assistant scoutmasters Toshi Oku and Keichi Ono; and Eagle advisor Joe Belli.
Troop 764 Eagle Scouts, from left: Sodo Gadal, Zaxxon Rehm, Kai Johnson, Diego Heard, Luke Miura, Caiden Chen, Benjamin Blackburn, Aidan Brady, Mason Beard, and Evan Chun.
Silva presented each Eagle scout with a certificate of commendation from Park. Nishimura and Gadal also addressed the audience, sharing their memories of the boys as they made their years-long journey to becoming new Eagle Scouts. Later in the program, Sarah Hladek spoke on behalf of all the Eagle families.
Each scout gave a brief speech about following his individual rugged road to becoming an Eagle Scout, giving thanks to parents and adult scout leaders, and encouraging younger scouts to persevere so that they themselves could become Eagle Scouts.
More than one admitted to considering quitting scouting. Some recalled a personal obstacle or overcoming fear. Also mentioned was the challenge of being in scouting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Others recalled how scouting introduced them to new experiences, gave them newfound confidence or helped in their personal growth. All were rightfully appreciative of having achieved the rank of Eagle Scout.
Since its founding in July 1964, the troop has seen 214 scouts reach the rank of Eagle Scout. Troop 764’s 2026 Eagle Scout Court of Honor is scheduled for May 2.
To learn more about the troop, visit Troop764. com. To learn more about the Venice Japanese Community Center, visit vjcc.com.