The 31st Annual Mayor’s Breakfast for Scouting, hosted by Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, at the Porthole Restaurant honors Ryan McDermott, left, and Helen Mihos. Photo by Paula Muller.
By Leah Dearborn
LYNN — Attendees raised a glass of orange juice to public service at the 31st Annual Mayor’s Breakfast for Scouting.
Over a breakfast buffet at the Porthole Restaurant, educator Helen Mihos and Lynn Police Officer Ryan McDermott were honored with the Good Scout Award, a distinction reserved for community members who have exemplified the ideals of the Boy Scouts of America.
“A good scout is always interested in helping others,” said Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, who introduced the honorees. The mayor is also responsible for selecting who deserves to be recognized, a process that Kennedy said was difficult in such an active community.
Mihos is the former principal of Lincoln-Thomson Elementary School, and her career in the Lynn Public Schools spanned over three decades.
McDermott, who was born and raised in Lynn, is co-director of the Lynn Police Student Academy, a six-week summer program that educates student cadets on policing and leadership.
Welcoming remarks were made by event chairs Alan D. Kline and David Solimine Sr. The former has been active with the scouts for over 30 years.
“Everything I didn’t learn with my parents, I learned with scouting. For me, scouting is forever,” said Kline, who wore his scout uniform.
Kline said this year’s breakfast marked the first time the event has served as a fundraiser, with all money raised going directly toward supporting scouts in Lynn. The money will benefit the Spirit of Adventure Council, an organization that serves 76 towns in the state and includes 13,000 youth members.
“I come because it’s a great cause,” said breakfast attendee and Lynn School Committee member Donna M. Coppola, who has previously been honored herself. “The scouts provide such wonderful role models.”
Eagle Scout Andrew Krause also spoke at the ceremony, relating the challenges involved in reaching the scout’s highest rank of Eagle Scout. He gave scouting credit for making a major impact on his adult life and said that it has made him the person he is today.
“I’ve been able to do so many things that I might not have otherwise had the courage to do,” said Krause.