Two 2016 Portsmouth High School Graduates Earn Boy Scouts Highest Rank

Portsmouth is the beneficiary of two very active, community serving Boy Scout troops, Troop 1, sponsored by the Portsmouth Senior Center, and Troop 82, sponsored by St. Mary's Episcopal Church. Although a healthy, competitive spirit exists among the two groups, the boy scouts of Troops 1 and 82 unite to participate in Narragansett Council activities such as the Annual Scouting For Food drive. Recently, a close friendship, which knows no divide, brought the families and friends of Troops 1 and 82 together for celebration. July 31st marked the first joint Troop 1 and Troop 82 Eagle Court of Honor to honor Joshua David Raymo and Daniel Francis Matthews with Boy Scouts highest rank achievement.

The unique Eagle Court of Honor, held at St. Barnabas Church, highlighted the collaborative showmanship of both Boy Scout troops. Past and present Portsmouth Boy Scouts and adult Troop Leaders participated in the ceremonial activities, making it memorable for their newest Eagle Scouts. Both new Eagle Scouts have been active leaders within their group and the Portsmouth community.

Troop 1's Joshua Raymo, a scout for 10 years, has guided his fellow Boy Scouts in the roles of Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader. Joshua, a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, Boy Scout's National Honor Society, was Lodge Ceremony Chief for Abnaki Lodge 102. He is also a graduate of Boy Scouts' National Youth Leadership Training (White Stag) course. For his Eagle Scout project, Joshua utilized his love of the performing arts in designing and leading volunteers in the construction of a puppet theater for the Portsmouth Public Library. Joshua, the son of David and Marianne Raymo, is a 2016 graduate of Portsmouth High School. His student leadership and involvement was evident in his participation in the Portsmouth High School Marching Band, Drum Line, Drama Club, Swim Team, FIRST Robotics Team, National Honor Society, National Foreign Language Honor Society, and National Art Honor Society.

Parallel to Joshua's scouting achievements, Troop 82's Daniel Matthews has been active in scouting for 11 years. Daniel has held the leadership positions of Scribe, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Quartermaster and Senior Patrol Leader. Daniel, an Ordeal member, was also elected to Boy Scout's National Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow. Similarly, Daniel is a graduate of Boy Scouts' National Youth Leadership Training (White Stag) course. Troop 82 recognized Daniel's contributions by honoring him with the CPL Thomas A. Julian, USMC Leadership Award. Daniel, following in the footsteps of his brother Drew, is the second member of his family to earn Eagle Scout. St. Barnabas was the benefactor of Daniel's Eagle Scout project. Daniel planned and led a team of volunteers in refurbishing the crosses and benches located in the St. Barnabas Grove. The son of Donna and Christopher Matthews, Troop 82's Committee Chairperson and Troop 82's former Scout Activities Treasurer respectively, Daniel is also a recent graduate of Portsmouth High School. He too was an asset to the Portsmouth High School Marching Band, National Honor Society, and the First Robotics Team sponsored by the NUWC (Naval Undersea Warfare Center), as well as a member of the Portsmouth High School Track and Field Team.

Daniel and Joshua's friendship propelled them into the outstanding, community contributing citizens they have become. Choosing to celebrate the momentous occasion of earning Eagle Scout together must have come naturally. Portsmouth's Boy Scouting family wishes them both well this Fall as Joshua begins his endeavors in Theater and Computer Science at URI and Daniel studies engineering at Worchester Polytechnic Institute.