Local Eagle Scout Adrian LaPorte Recognized; New Plaque Honors Scouts and Gold Award Recipients

Adrian LaPorte presents about his Eagle Scout project. || Monica Sager

Adrian LaPorte was honored by the Select Board on Wednesday for earning the rank of Eagle Scout and completing a community service project to accomplish it.

“It’s my honor to present the newest Eagle Scout, Adrian LaPorte, of Troop 53,” Select Board Member Mary Ellen Fletcher said. “Becoming an Eagle Scout represents years of dedication and service and personal growth. Adrian has demonstrated perseverance, initiative and strong commitment to the values.”

Eagle Scout is the highest rank in the Scouts BSA, formerly known as the Boy Scouts of America. Scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges, demonstrate Scout spirit and complete a significant service project. According to Scouting America, only about 4% of scouts achieve the rank.

Select Board Vice Chair Doug Thompson, an Eagle Scout himself, presented LaPorte with the Select Board’s recognition.

Select Board Vice Chair Doug Thompson honors Adrian LaPorte. || Monica Sager

LaPorte’s Eagle Scout project involved restoring a World War I cannon in the Swampscott Cemetery.

“That was getting a new coat of paint on it, repriming it, repainting it to be a nice historical color,” LaPorte said. “We have wheels that have just arrived, so we’re going to put those on hopefully in the next day or two.”

LaPorte also worked with the Rotary Club to secure funding to add the names of local World War I soldiers to a plaque.

“It’s been a great experience,” LaPorte said.

Following LaPorte’s recognition, Scouts and Girl Scouts read the names of Eagle Scout and Gold Award – the Girl Scout equivalent – recipients. The names are now featured on a plaque, which will be on display in Town Hall, Fletcher said.

The group of scouts and girl scouts || Monica Sager

Those who read names were:

Halley Arrington
Maye Delano
Holden Hersey
Maye Mancini
Anton Oberlin
Walter Petit
Gus Pomery
Henry Schneider
Noelle Schneider
Emory Schultz
Evan Segal
Aiden Tat
Ben Werner
Wyatt Werner
Judah Zoll

Katie Arrington, the media liaison for the Ocean Bay Girl Scouts, as well as Troop 53’s Scoutmaster David LaPorte, Troop Committee Member Erik Schneider, and Assistant Scoutmasters Ben Pomery and Chuck Page were present.

After reading the names, Fletcher asked the scouts and girl scouts who will have their own names added to the plaque in the future. All raised their hands.

“I think this is a really great tribute to your hard work,” Fletcher said, jokingly adding that “Shannon will start getting your names ready.”