Shalin Madabhavi earns Eagle Scout Award

Shalin Madabhavi completed his Eagle Board of Review on January 19, 2026 and will be honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor in the near future. Shalin is the son of Ramesh Madabhavi and Pallavi Madabhavi of Pleasanton.

He is a member of Troop 941, sponsored by VFW Post #6298. Thanks go to his Scoutmaster Patrick Markel for his dedication to Scouting and help along the way.

Shalin has been active in Scouting and has been a leader in the troop as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Instructor, Patrol Leader and Webmaster.

Shalin enjoyed the lifelong friendships and memories he has made in Scouting, from running around neighborhoods in the rain hanging door hangers to early-morning breakfasts on campouts. Scouting has pushed Shalin to learn by doing and taught him confidence, responsibility, and leadership that lasts.

For his Eagle Scout project, he built two Johnson-Su Bioreactor composting systems at Hearst Elementary School's garden. He had 26 volunteers help from Troop 941, high school friends, adults, and family working 290 hours. Funds were raised through GoFundMe, materials such as wire mesh and drainpipes were purchased.

The project was over two summer days in 2025. Now, the composters make awesome compost to boost soil for 200+ kids using the garden daily and teaches recycling basics. The compost is made from leaves, manure, and woodchips, creating nutrient-rich soil that reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. These bioreactors will keep producing high-quality compost for years, improving garden biodiversity, capturing carbon, and helping fight climate change right in our community. It was an amazing opportunity and great way to help. Pamela LaCoure, Hearst Elementary School, Garden Liaison commented “Amazing effort by All involved – Hearst thanks you!!!”.

Shalin is a sophomore at Foothill High School. His interests include trying new foods, exploring new places, listening to music and going to concerts, spending time outdoors, and exploring cybersecurity and coding projects. He has been President of the Foothill Cybersecurity Club, led and been involved in conservation and other scouting projects. He is a black belt in Taekwondo and is a Foothill DECA Finance Officer.

His life plans include attending college and pursuing his passion for cybersecurity and computer science, in the future, he hopes to build a career where he can make a positive impact through technology and service.

To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, a Scout must be active in their troop, provide leadership, earn 21 merit badges including the areas of citizenship, camping, communications, cooking and lifesaving or emergency preparedness as well as demonstrate that they live by the principles of the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. They must also plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project benefiting a religious institution, school, or community group.

Anyone interested in joining any level of Scouting can contact the Twin Valley District Executive Fil de Cal, Filiberto.deCal@scouting.org.