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Wellesley Boy Scout Troop 185 held their winter Court of Honor on Monday, February 1 at the Italo-American Club.
It was an exceptional year for earning merit badges with 43 Scouts received a total of over 200 merit badges, including badges earned at Camp Resolute and on Nantucket over the summer.
Twenty-three boys advanced a total of 43 ranks. Steven Ditelberg earned the most merit badges with 21 ranging from archery to understanding the weather. Jarrett Huddleston was next with 11 merit badges, Carters Smith earned 10 merit badges, followed by Brady Howell with eight.
One of the highlights of the evening was the large number of boys joining the Troop. Overall 23 boys took part in the candle-lit ceremony where they took their Scout Oath. New scouts are: Jay Butler, Jason Cannistraro, Jonathan Chiu, Zachery Dupont, Giorgio Giglio, Noah Goldman, Benjamin Gordon, Christian Grosso, Quinn Healey, Greyson Houghton, Ethan Kinney, Justin Klessel, Patrick Lin, Henry MacKinnon, Marc Maggiacomo, David Maggiacomo, Gary Martin, James McCurley, Dylan McKeever, Francis Mendes, Mac Munro, Evan Tellalian and Aidan Ulian.
Parents joined their sons on stage while they received recognition for their rank advancement. Scouts earning ranks of First Class and above pinned their mothers with special rank pins to thank them for their support. All continuing Scouts received Service Stars for their number of years in the Troop, ranging from one to seven years.
Scout
Connor Duffy, Thomas Neilson, James Pearson and Edward Ryan
Tenderfoot
Connor Duffy, Andy Lyu, Samuel Manglapus, Thomas Nielsen, Edward Ryan, Chris Zavaro & Elias Zavaro
Second Class
Andy Lyu and Benjamin Mirick
First Class
Michael Grosso, Benjamin Mirick and Jay Nikolewski
Star
Henry Boyd, Steven Ditelberg, Brady Howell, Carter Smith and Aidan Sullivan
Life
Tony Czubarrow, Rowan dePeyster, Joseph Gallant, Russell Hornung, Matthew Lucas, Cole Lysaght and Nick Pyzowski
Eagle Palms
Jarrett Huddleston earned his third Gold, third Silver and fourth Bronze Palm, representing the fact that he has earned over 71 Merit Badges.
Huddleston received the National Outdoor Achievement Award, which was in recognition of 125 days spent camping, 200 miles of hiking, 100 miles of aquatic activities, 16 hours of a “leave no trace” course and planning two troop outings.
He also spent a season an outdoor counselor at camp. This was the first time anyone has won this award in the troop. He also added the “Complete Angler”, “NOA - Hiking Gold Device.”
Tom Huddleston was awarded the “Scouter’s key” and the “Silver Beaver award” for services to Scouting; the highest award from the local Knox Trail Council.
Scoutmaster John Fortini then announced some of the upcoming Troop events, including “Seabase” in April – a chance for the boys to be self-sufficient on an island off the Florida coast and learning to sail a tall ship. Next year is the 2017 Jamboree.
Fortini advised the Scouts that even the new recruits could be eligible to attend. The next outing is the camping trip to Nobscot on March 11-13. He then introduced Andrew Milne the Powder Keg District Executive who reminded the boys and parents of the many activities available at Camp Resolute over the coming summer; day camp, opportunities to earn merit badges and eagle status, and youth leader training.
The Troop meets on Monday evenings from 7:30-9 p.m. at St. John’s School in Wellesley. Boys currently in fifth grade to age 18 are welcome to join. Boys and girls age 14 or in eighth grade through age 21 are welcome to join the Troop’s associated co-ed Venture Crew 42, which meets monthly on Saturday evenings.
To join, contact Scoutmaster Fortini at john.fortini@scouting.org.
