Westport Troop 100 Celebrates 7 Eagle Scouts Jan. 25

From Westport Troop 100: It is with great pride that Westport Troop 100 announces that the Eagle Scout Award will be presented to seven outstanding Scouts on Saturday, January 25, 2020 at Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Westport. The honor of Eagle Scout is the highest rank that is offered in Scouting. Only 7 out of every 100 Boy Scouts ever achieve this prestigious award. It is rare and means that these Scouts have dedicated themselves to Scouting, put in the hours and most importantly, found ways to benefit their community. To earn the Eagle Scout Award, each Scout must earn 21 required merit badges; secure recommendations from teachers, advisors or community leaders; complete a major service project that requires interfacing with a local charity organization; demonstrate significant leadership skills and oftentimes deliver intense physical labor and man-hours to complete the project. Once the badges and project are completed, each Scout must present their scouting record and achievements to a CT Yankee Council Eagle Board of Review. If approved, the Scout receives final confirmation from National BSA Headquarters. The seven Scouts who will be presented with the Eagle

Scout Award and their respective service projects are:
• Staples High senior Max Boyle, who coordinated the collection of tennis gear to benefit the underprivileged youth serviced by the Norwalk Grassroots Tennis Association;
• Weston High junior Matthew Griffin, who led a project that cleared and constructed a woodchip trail to connect Westport’s Earthplace and the Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum;
• Staples High senior Miguel Gura, who carved and constructed bird silhouettes for Westport’s Earthplace preschool;
• Fairfield College Preparatory School senior Whit Lupoli, who led a project to construct a 60’ walkway to benefit Westport’s Homes with Hope Linxweiler House;

• Staples High senior Jake McGillion-Moore, who led a project to refurbish a playground and create a garden for Bridgeport’s Caroline House;
• Staples High senior Dylan Murray, who led a trail creation and restoration project to benefit Westport’s Lillian Wadsworth Arboretum; and
• Staples High senior Daniel Syomichev, who led a project to construct benches and a "caterpillar stacker" as part of a playground renovation for Westport’s Earthplace.

Scoutmaster Alexey Syomichev noted, “We are thrilled to have this achievement as inspiration for our entire troop. Six of these scouts have worked together since they were six years old in Cub Scouts. To see them achieve their dream together is a very unique feat in Scouting. Troop 100 has been a fixture in Westport for 50 years and as our Eagle Scouts demonstrate, we continue to foster the skills and learning experiences Scouts need to make a difference in their community and in life.” Charles Gura, Troop Eagle Coordinator commented, “The Troop has a long history of inspiring the spirit of scouting and has produced 75+ Eagle Scouts in its previous 50 years. These seven Scouts will be an exceptional addition to our Eagle roster for the new decade!” Westport Troop 100 is an active contributor to Connecticut Yankee Council and has recently donated a pavilion to BSA Camp Sequassen. The Troop is active in the town, supporting many charities and events including Homes With Hope, Earthplace, Maker Faire, Minds in Motion, and The Westport Library. Troop 100 is grateful to its charter organization, Christ & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. The Eagle Scout Court of Honor will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Church with a reception to follow for family, friends and service project beneficiaries. Members of the Press are also welcome to attend.

The press release was produced by Westport Troop 100. The views are the author's own.