Conner Flynn Earns Eagle Scout

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information:

Glenn Gardiner, Scoutmaster

401 855-2889 cell

Mike Flynn, Assistant Scoutmaster

401 338-0614 cell

Conner Flynn Earns Eagle Scout Award

Newport, RI – September 27, 2015 - “Conner Flynn is a natural leader. Conner seems to instinctively tune into the needs of those around him. He anticipates challenges. Younger Scouts look up to him not because he’s older or has attained a higher rank, but because he’s earned their trust and respect -- they want to be around him. He is even-tempered, has great judgment, is approachable, clean-cut and gentlemanly – and he is now an Eagle Scout from Troop 3 Newport.” – Ken Gorrell, Scout Volunteer.

Celebrating his many achievements, friends, family and local dignitaries gathered at Troop 3’s Charter Organization, Elks Lodge #104. Proclamations were read, citations delivered and speeches made on behalf of Troop 3 Newport’s newest Eagle Scout, Conner Joseph Flynn. Ken Gorrell delivered the keynote address (including the quote shared above) and Rev. Mathew J. Davis offered the invocation and benediction. Conner received a heartfelt thank you from John Hirschboeck from the Cliff Walk Commission, along with a framed certificate, for his leadership project: Cliff Walk Points of Interest.

State Senator Louis DiPalma, State Representative Daniel Patrick Reilly, Middletown Town Council President Robert Sylvia and Newport Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano were all in attendance. September 27, 2015 was declared “Conner Joseph Flynn Day” in Newport in commemoration of his achievement. Conner also received a framed certificate from the Exalted Ruler of the Elks Lodge, Joseph Kaiser III.

Conner’s Eagle Leadership Service Project involved organizing volunteers to assist with his Cliff Walk Points of Interest Project. The project constructed and installed sixteen wooden posts mounted with QR codes to detail various historical points of interest along the beautiful 3.5 mile shoreline Cliff Walk. The posts were cut, routed and stained at the Newport Area Career & Technical Center woodshop in March, 2015. A month later, they were then set in concrete along the Cliff Walk in time for the peak summer tourist season. The QR codes enable visitors on the walk to scan the codes with their smart phone to link to the “Visit Newport Rhode Island” app <https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/visit-newport-ri/id885848529?mt=8> where the historical details of their present location are described. Now, nearly a million people annually will have access to the rich history and culture of the community of Newport, RI.

Conner is a senior at Middletown High School and was recently selected as a Rhode Island Scholar Athlete. He is a member of both the National Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society and has been a member of Mock Trial. For the past two years, Conner has been captain of the Boy’s Cross Country Team and Boy’s Indoor and Outdoor Track teams. After graduating from All Saints Academy in 2012, Conner attended Bishop Hendricken High School in Warwick for his freshman year. Raised in Newport, RI, Conner moved to Middletown, RI in 2010 with his parents Michael and Terri and siblings Mike and Amy.

Conner has been in the scouting program since first grade. He was a member of Pack 33 and joined Troop 3 Newport at age 11. One of Conner’s scouting highlights was serving as Crew Leader on a 12-day wilderness backpacking adventure at Philmont Scout Ranch near Cimarron, NM. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow and has earned 25 merit badges.

Boys in Troop 3 Newport range in age from 11-17 years old. They attend Thompson Middle School, St. Philomena’s, All Saints Academy, Rogers and Middletown High Schools or are home schooled.

Boy Scouts of America has three objectives: character development, citizenship training and personal fitness. For more information about BSA Troop 3 Newport, please call Glenn Gardiner at 401 846-9583 x 2002.

ENDS

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John Hirschboeck, Secretary-Cliff Walk Commission (left) with Conner Flynn, Eagle Scout (right). Photo by Therese Iacono Photography