3 Scouts Honored For Reaching Eagle Rank By Bernards Township Committee

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — Bernards Township officials recognized three scouts for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting America’s highest achievement.

On Tuesday night, the Township Committee adopted separate resolutions honoring Sean Griffin, Chase Lynch, and Aarya Parthiban for their years of scouting and for service projects completed at the Environmental Education Center.

"We put in a lot of hard work to become Eagle Scouts, and we definitely couldn't have done it without our family, friends, and troop," said Parthiban at the meeting. "Our hard work definitely pays off, and when we're recognized like this, it shows that it truly means a lot to be an Eagle Scout."

Mayor Ana Duarte McCarthy said "Eagle Scout is the highest achievement rank in Scouting America, attained by only a small percentage of scouts after years of dedication, leadership, development, community service, and the successful completion of a significant service project."

She also told the Scouts that "our municipality thrives because of individuals like you who step up and intentionally consider ways to help others."

All three honorees began scouting in Basking Ridge and were cited for leadership, service and commitment throughout their scouting careers.

The resolutions detail three separate projects at the Environmental Education Center.

Griffin designed, constructed, and organized the installation of 10 portable 12-foot boardwalk sections across wet and muddy terrain, along with a storage rack for the sections.

Lynch planned and led construction of a 50-foot boardwalk extension along the Yellow Trail, and the resolution states he also managed logistics, raised funds and made an additional donation to the center from surplus proceeds.

Parthiban led the "Revival of Bat Cave Boardwalk," removing overgrown vegetation, demolishing a deteriorated boardwalk and platform, and building a new elevated boardwalk and platform.

Committee members also praised the Scouts and the adults who supported them.

Committeeman Brett Hodges said, "It is this kind of a civic engagement, selflessness, and leadership that builds foundation of a strong connected community."

Deputy Mayor John Tompkins told the Scouts, "What you’ve done is not easy. It's a rarity. What you've learned by achieving this rank will serve you for the rest of your life."

The three resolutions offer the township’s "best wishes" to Griffin, Lynch and Parthiban and congratulate them on an achievement the committee said reflects leadership and service.

"Congratulations, gentlemen, on this extraordinary achievement," said Committeeman Andrew McNally.

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