By Julie O’Brien Deasy
Custom built bluebird houses to encourage local nesting. New and updated wood walkways on New Canaan Land Trust property. Documentation and mapping of 3 historic New Canaan cemetaries. Repaired and repainted Powerhouse Theater items including sets and dressing rooms.
What links these items together? All were designed, managed, and executed by a local Boy Scout for their Eagle Scout Project.
A group of four New Canaan High School students from Boy Scout Troop 70 were honored by their families, fellow scouts, and community leaders as they received the rank of Eagle Scout in a Court of Honors ceremony on Sunday night.
This special event celebrated the accomplishments of these four young men, who have collectively dedicated hundreds of hours of their time to their Eagle Scout projects and to the community of New Canaan.
Spencer Shubert, Assistant Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 70, compared the journey to Eagle Scout to climbing a mountain.
“The work required to attain the Eagle Rank requires a long steady effort. The rewards are not only a great view, but the confidence that when you set your mind on a goal, nothing is impossible.”
Reaching the Eagle Rank is a difficult challenge. First, the Scout has to achieve 7 Scouting ranks, earn over 20 merit badges, design and execute an Eagle Service Project, become a leader within their troop, and finally, prepare their final Eagle Scout Binder. Only about 4% of all Scouts ever reach the Eagle Rank.
During the ceremony, each Eagle Scout had the opportunity to share more about their project, and thank their chosen mentors – a leader in the Troop who gave personal guidance for their Eagle Scout Projects.
Teddy Goetz, a Junior at New Canaan High School, worked with the Connecticut Audubon Society on a bluebird nesting project. With their input, he designed and built 20 custom birdhouses that will be distributed across the state, to encourage nesting. The entire Troop participated in this project, joining the weekend building sessions that Teddy organized and ran at his home.
Chris Wells, a New Canaan High School Senior, did his Eagle Scout Project at the Colhoun Preserve, part of the New Canaan Land Trust. He designed and built new raised wooden walkways over some of the marsh areas in the Preserve. These walkways not only keep visitors’ feet dry, but also protect the ecosystem by making sure the soil in these delicate areas does not get too compacted and adversely affect vegetation and animal life. Chris also examined the rest of the Preserve and refurbished a few other existing walkways that were in need of repair.
Andrew Reed, a Senior at New Canaan High School, coordinated with the New Canaan Historical Society to map and document 3 New Canaan cemeteries. There are about 20 historic cemeteries in town, some of which date to the early 1700s. Andrew focused on 3 of them and mapped out the location of all the gravestones, and recorded information on all the deceased in each cemetery. He also did his own research as some of the gravestones were difficult to decipher. Andrew wanted the information to be available to future generations, so these maps and data are now stored and cataloged at the Historical Society.
Ike Morales, a New Canaan High School Senior, partnered with the Powerhouse Theater on some much-needed improvements to their theater facility in Waveny Park. Ike repaired and repainted the Theater’s “flats”, which are large flat pieces of scenery used to create walls, backdrops, and other set elements on stage. He also painted the actors’ dressing rooms, which made them more functional and bright.
Jose Morales, Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 70 (and Ike’s father) said of all the boys, “I can’t wait to see what’s next.”
The Eagle Scout Court of Honors celebrated more than the Eagle Scouts themselves. The ceremony also recognized those who provided support along their journey: the rest of the Troop, the personal mentors, and families of each Scout.
A touching moment in the ceremony was when each Eagle Scout’s mother and father presented their sons with their Eagle Scout Badge, Neckerchief, and Certificate. And in return, the Eagle Scouts presented their parents and chosen mentors with badges of their own to signify the involvement and support they provided on the way.
US Senator Richard Blumenthal, US Senator Chris Murphy, and State Representative Tom O’Day all sent Certificates of Official Commendation to all 4 Scouts.
Jack Goetz, father of Teddy and an Eagle Scout himself, reflected on the life lessons being a Scout has taught him. He said the Scout motto of “Be Prepared” first focused on the practical details of basic survival skills.
But he said that as a father, with a son who has attained the Rank of Eagle, the motto has a deeper meaning to him now.
“I won’t always be there to help you in life,” he said. “Your mother won’t always be there. There are times when you will be alone, and life will be hard.”
He noted that Scouts have prepared his son and all the other boys who have achieved the Eagle rank for any scenario now.
“You’re prepared for whatever life brings you – good or bad – easy or hard,“ he said, “So congratulations.”
