On Sunday, December 10, Wellesley Boy Scout Troop 185 convened an Eagle Court of Honor at the Christ Church, United Methodist on Brook Street to award Scouting’s highest rank, the Eagle rank, to six members of the Troop. In addition to Troop members and their families, grandparents, relatives and siblings from around New England joined the recipients and their parents for the ceremony. The court was pleased to welcome a special guest; Mrs. Lori Ferrante, Administrator of ESR (and former troop member’s mom) from Mt St Vincent, Sisters of Charity - Halifax. Mrs. Ferrante was the coordinator of two out of the six Eagle projects of these Scouts.
David Lussier, the Superintendent of Wellesley schools, read the “Voice of the Eagle”; followed by Andrew Kelly (who is the grandfather of Glen Manglapus and became an Eagle in 1938) giving the “Eagle Charge.” Finally, Peter Jones from the Wellesley Conservation Council took the “Eagle Promise.”
Scoutmaster John Fortini awarded each of the Scouts their Eagle Badges, which their parents pinned on them. They also received an American flag flown that has been over the US Capitol in honor of their achievement. The boys noted the support of their parents throughout their Scouting careers and thanked Scoutmaster Fortini for his leadership. Mr. Fortini said that these new Eagle Scouts join the many Scouts from Troop 185 who have gone on to earn the award. They are now college students, doctors, lawyers, engineers, teachers and even parents. Nationally, the number of Scouts who reach Eagle is about 5 percent, whilst in the 21 cities and towns of the Mayflower Council (to which Troop 185 belongs) it was 6.5 percent in 2016.
Since 1978, Troop 185 has had 149 Eagle Scouts, which is close to 20 percent of the of the several hundred boys that have joined the Troop. Scoutmaster Fortini feels that this shows the strength and quality of the program in the troop and the dedication of the youth and adult leadership over the years.
Among those awarded the rank of Eagle:
Zane Asad Salameh - During the ceremony, Zane pinned badges on his father, Asad, his mother, Rula, and his grandmother, Sue Audi. His brother, Yousef, and sister, Lina, were also in attendance. For his Eagle project, Zane planted holly bushes and built a seating area for the Elizabeth Seton Residence – Sisters of Charity. Zane currently serves as one of the Senior Patrol Leaders for the Troop and is a Senior at Wellesley High School.
Anthony (Tony) Nicholas Czubarow - During the ceremony, Tony pinned badges on his mother, Danuta, and his father, Paul. Anthony reestablished a trail in the Cronk’s Rocky Woodland reservation for the Town of Wellesley Conservation Commission. Anthony is a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster in the Troop and is a senior at Wellesley High School.
Jacob Hill Einbinder - During the ceremony, Jacob pinned badges on his mother, Laura, his father, John, and his grandmother, Catherine Hill. His sisters, Lindsay and Leigh, were also present. Jacob removed invasive plants and vines for the Elizabeth Seton Residence – Sisters of Charity. Jacob is a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster for the Troop and a senior at Wellesley High School.
Glen Kelly Manglapus - During the ceremony, Alex pinned badges on his mother, Mary, his father, Glen, and his grandparents, Andrew and Kay Kelly. His sister, Lola, and aunt Lisa and uncle Daniel were also there. Glen designed and built a raised planter box garden for the Linden Square association, which provides food in the planters to the Wellesley Food Pantry. Glen currently serves as one of the Senior Patrol Leaders for the Troop and is a senior at Wellesley High School.
Barrett Harrison Roman - During the ceremony, Alex pinned badges on his mother Stacy and father Eric, who also received the mentor badge. His brothers, Conrad and Cooper, were also present. Barrett collected donations and purchased hundreds of dollars of school supplies for a school in one of the barrios of Puerto Penasco, Sonora, Mexico. He had the Troop 185 Scouts shop with him, and he delivered the supplies personally while on a trip with the Troop to train scouts and leaders in Mexico. Barrett is a Troop Guide in the Troop and is a junior at Wellesley High School.
Andrew Cook Scherrer - During the ceremony, Andrew pinned badges on his mother, Janet, father, Stephen, and his grandparents, George and Cynthia Scherrer. His brothers, Matthew and Daniel, were also present. Andrew built an orienteering course in the Longfellow Town Forest to be used by schools and citizens for the Town of Wellesley. Andrew serves as a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster in the Troop and is a senior at Wellesley High School.
