Boy Scout Troop 770 of Newtown, sponsored by St. Rose of Lima Church, held an Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Matthew Jensen on Saturday, May 21, at the St. Rose of Lima Gathering Hall.
During the seven years Matthew spent in Boy Scouts, he earned a total of 31 merit badges. Matthew served as Troop 770's Senior Patrol Leader from 2008-2009. Matthew has also held the positions of Troop Quartermaster and Instructor.
To complete his Eagle Scout requirements, Matthew had to organize and carry out a district-approved volunteer service project. Matthew's Eagle project involved the construction of a Rain Garden behind the new Knights of Columbus building at St. Rose of Lima Church. The Rain Garden is composed of a birch tree, bushes and over 500 individual grass plugs that filter toxins out of runoff water before it enters nearby protected wetlands. To complete the project, Matthew had to secure donations of plant material both from local nurseries and wholesale nurseries located as far away as Indiana and Tennessee. He then led 30 Scout and adult volunteers in installing the plants. The project required 155 man-hours to complete, and had to pass inspection by the town before it could be approved.
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Letters were read at the Eagle Court of Honor from Monsignor Robert Weiss, First Selectman Patricia Llodra, Senator Joseph Lieberman and President George Herbert Walker Bush. The Knights of Columbus and The New Jersey State Firechief's Association also made presentations to Matthew.
Matthew is a National Merit Scholar who will be graduating from Newtown High School in June. He will attend Rutgers University in New Jersey in the fall to study genetics.
