According to the Boy Scouts of America only 5% of scouts made the ranks of Eagle in 2009. So when Milton’s Troop 5, which is chartered through St. Agatha’s Church, honored 4 of its 30 scouts, it represented a remarkable achievement for the troop and for the scouts: Graham Strang, Alexander Jamal and Stephen Campo of Milton, and Robert Hudson of Quincy. There is a reason why so few achieve this highest rank. It’s really tough.
Scouts must earn 12 required Eagle merit badges, 9 additional merit badges, progress through six ranks, and provide community service and leadership to troop members. For their culminating eagle projects the boys worked on a variety of projects that helped improve their communities. This is what they did:
- Graham Strang refurbished the storage and loading room at the Milton Food Pantry. His team removed plaster ceilings, installed lighting and shelving. Graham is currently attending the San Francisco Institute of Art where he focuses on metalwork and sculpture.
- Alexander Jamal worked on a project to improve the Milton High School Outdoor Classroom, where his team excavated and graveled pathways and installed natural outdoor seating. Alexander is currently majoring in Physics at MCLA in North Adams.
- Stephen Campo’s eagle project consisted of the construction of benches and tables around the outdoor skating area in Cunningham Park. Stephen attends BC High where he is a sophomore baseball player and cross-country runner.
- Robert Hudson and his group of scouts and adults worked on the construction of an animal enclosure for recovering wildlife at the New England Wildlife Center in Weymouth. Robert is a senior at North Quincy High School and has applied to many colleges where he is interested in majoring in mechanical engineering.
All credited Scoutmaster Michael Haviland of Quincy was credited by all the boys in helping them along the eagle trail.
And here they are:
From L to R: Selectman John Shields, Eagle Scouts Steve Campo, Alex Jamal, Robert Hudson, Graham Strang, Representative Walter Timility, Selectman Robert Sweeny and Scout Master and Eagle Scout Mike Haviland.
In addition to over 100 friends, family and troop members various local dignitaries were on hand to celebrate this achievement. Remarks and citations were presented to the eagles by Mayor Koch of Quincy, State Senator Brian Joyce, State Representative Walter Timilty, selectmen Bob Sweeney and John Michael Shields, and Paul Gendreau of the Boston Minuteman Council.
Troop 5 hopes to see more scouts earn the rank of Eagle this year. This active outdoors troop already has camping trips planned to New Hamphsire in February, the Cape, Nantucket and skiing at Mount Cranmore. Boys attend summer camp together during the month of July. Boys interested in scouting should contact the Boston Minuteman Council located on Unquity Road to find a local troop.