Medfield’s Boy Scout Troop 89 members Stephen Daniel Williams, Garrett Theodore Gipson, Robert A. Raine and Tyler James Hatch were honored at their Eagle Court of Honor on December 2 at the United Church of Christ in Medfield. Family, friends and many members of Troop 89 attended this event, recognizing these young men for their significant achievement.
Attaining the rank of Eagle is rare; only 5 percent of all Boy Scouts do so. To earn the Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills. The fact that a boy is an Eagle Scout has always carried a special significance, not only in Scouting but also as he enters higher education, business or industry, and community service.
The requirements of the rank of Eagle Scout are as follows:
• A Scout must earn 21 merit badges, 13 of which are required.
• A Scout must serve actively in a troop leadership position for a period of at least six months.
• A Scout must plan, develop, and carry out a service project worthy of an Eagle Scout.
• A Scout must appear before a Board of Review of prominent persons to demonstrate that he has done his best to understand and to live up to the Scout Oath and Law and in all ways has qualified as an Eagle Scout.
The following is a resume of Stephen Daniel Williams’ Scouting and personal history:
Stephen joined Troop 89 in 2013 at age 11, when he crossed over from Webelos, Pack 200 where he earned the Arrow of Light Award and now stands before the community as an Eagle Scout. On his trail to Eagle, Stephen earned a total of 36 merit badges. He successfully completed Junior Leadership training and demonstrated his leadership ability within Troop 89 in the capacities of Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Stephen is a member of the Brotherhood of the Order of the Arrow and recently participated in the high adventure trip to the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico.
Stephen’s Eagle Scout Service Project involved improving access to conservation land adjacent to Red Gate Farm in Medfield. Red Gate Farm was built in the 1600's as a working mill. The Town of Medfield purchased a parcel of the land in 2014 and earmarked it for conservation The first phase of Stephen's Eagle Scout Service Project involved site preparation including removal of rotted gate posts, old fencing and brush. In the second phase of his project, Stephen and his team built a replica of the infamous red gate for which the farm is named. The newly constructed, ADA-compliant gate was painted the same color red as similar gates on the property, then the gate was installed along with a cedar post and rail fence clearly denoting the entrance to the parcel of conservation land open for the public to enjoy.
Stephen is a member of Medfield High School class of 2020 where he is an honors student, a member of the high school band as well as the football and track teams. Outside of school Stephen’s activities include the church youth group, skiing and playing drums. He has also received his brown belt in karate.
The following is a resume of Garrett Theodore Gipson’s Scouting and personal history:
Garrett joined Troop 89 in 2013 at age 11, when he crossed over from Webelos, Pack 200 wherehe received the Arrow of Light Award and now stands before the community as an Eagle Scout. On his trail to Eagle, Garrett earned a total of 39 merit badges. He successfully completed Junior Leadership training and demonstrated his leadership ability within Troop 89 in the capacities of Assistant Patrol Leader and Leave No Trace Trainer. Garrett is a member of the Brotherhood ofthe Order of the Arrow and recently participated in the high adventure trip to the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico.
Garrett’s Eagle Scout Service Project also involved making improvements to the Red Gate Farm. The project included the removal of invasive plant growth and the installation of signage welcoming the public to the property, detailing the rules and regulations of the property and identifying the boundaries between the public and private lands.
Garrett is a member of Medfield High School class of 2020 where he is a member of the football team. Outside of school Garrett’s activities include volunteering at bible camp through his church youth group and helping seniors through the Medfield Council on Aging. Garrett enjoys the outdoors and working with his hands and his hobbies include traveling, coin collecting and fishing.
The following is a resume of Robert A. Raine’s Scouting and personal history:
Robert joined Troop 89 in 2012 at age 11, when he crossed over from Webelos, Pack 113 where he received the Arrow of Light Award and now stands before the community as an Eagle Scout. On his trail to Eagle, Robert earned a total of 35 merit badges. He successfully completed Junior Leadership training and demonstrated his leadership ability within Troop 89 in the capacities of Troup Guide, Assistant Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Robert is a member of the Brotherhood of the Order of the Arrow and participated in high adventure trips to Matagamon Maine High Adventure Area, Paul R. Christian National High Adventure Base at the Summit Bechtel Reserve and the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico.
Robert’s Eagle Scout Service Project involved making improvements to a dog walking trail at Hale Reservation. The project included the construction and installation of a wooden footbridge, 20 feet in length and 2 and ½ feet in width which allowed the trail to cross a stream which flowed to a nearby pond.
Robert is a member of Medfield High School class of 2019 where he is a member of the concert and marching bands as well as the baseball team. Outside of school Robert’s activities include being a part of his group of friends and online gaming. Robert has been active in sports since middle school and has played Medfield baseball for ten years and strives to play on the Medfield High School Varsity Baseball team this spring season. He has not decided on a college major yet, but is interested in electricity and athletic training and hopes to someday begin a career in one of them. His hobbies include scouting, on-line gaming and he is currently looking for a part time job in Medfield.
The following is a resume of Tyler James Hatch’s Scouting and personal history:
Tyler joined Troop 89 in 2013 at age 11, when he crossed over from Webelos, Pack 200 and now stands before the community as an Eagle Scout. On his trail to Eagle, Tyler earned a total of 34 merit badges. He successfully completed Junior Leadership training and demonstrated his leadership ability within Troop 89 in the capacities of Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader and Troop Quartermaster. Tyler is a member of the Brotherhood of the Order of the Arrow.
Tyler’s Eagle Scout Service Project created a serene place at the historic Grist Mill on Kingsbury pond where Medfield could memorialize its soldiers who are considered missing in action. The project included the removal of poison ivy, over growth and other debris and the installation of granite bench during a ceremony commemorating two of Medfield’s brave who never returned home.
Tyler is a member of Medfield High School class of 2020 where he is a member of the baseball team and has been part of the Middle School and High School Ski Club for the past three years. Outside of school Tyler’s activities include playing indoor soccer with his friends, and working at the Metacomet Concession Stand that he helped design, refereeing soccer games, and is a Peer Leader for the Middle School Youth Program at United Church of Christ in Medfield. He was recently selected as a delegate representing Medfield High School and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts at the Congress of Future Medical Leaders. The Congress of Future Medical Leaders is a highly selective national program honoring academically superior high school students dedicated to the service of humanity through medicine. Tyler enjoys camping and family vacations. His hobbies include skiing and coin collecting.
Stephen, Garrett, Robert and Tyler have demonstrated their capacity and willingness to exert leadership ability in the activities that are constructive and worthwhile in this community. They demonstrated ability to live up the 12 points of the Scout Law as well as to the Scout Oath, duty to God and Country, to others, and to themselves. As such, they qualified to receive the rank of Eagle Scout.
