Troop 48 awards Eagle Scout rank to six

LYNNFIELD — The rank of Eagle Scout represents the highest achievement to be attained by a young man in Boy Scouts. Only about five percent of boys who enter scouting succeed in achieving this rank, which must be earned prior to their 18th birthday.

Since its founding in 1912, the Boy Scouts of America has presented the rank of Eagle to only about two million boys. This fact makes the achievement by six members of Lynnfield’s Boy Scout Troop 48 even more remarkable.

An Eagle Court of Honor was held for these six scouts on Sunday, March 15 at the Centre Congregational Church, which serves as the troop’s sponsor.

Earning the rank of Eagle were Kyle John Flannery, Ethan Hale Forrest, Samuel Joseph Forrest, James Nicholas Meagher, Andrew Stephen Moorman and Brandon Mark Troisi. The troop members were granted their Eagle rank between August 2013 and December 2014.

These boys represent the 109th through 114th members of Lynnfield Troop 48 to earn their Eagle rank since 1956. Fifty-eight scouts from the troop have earned their Eagle since 2000, with three dozen of those earned just since June of 2007.

The ceremony opened with a welcome address by Scoutmaster Gordon Forrest followed by the Call to Order by Senior Patrol Leader Andrew Robins and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Assistant Senior Patrol Leader Andrew Walton. The Rev. Dennis Bailey of the Centre Congregational Church delivered the invocation and Assistant Patrol Leader James Ofori led the recitation of the Scout Oath. The Scout Law Ceremony was conducted by Troop 48 Scouts.

Scoutmaster Gordon Forrest conducted the recognition of the Eagle Scouts, which was followed by the Eagle Challenge by Cory Johnson, who earned his Eagle Scout rank as a member of Troop 48 in September of 2010. Troop 48 Committee members Rod Boone and Jerry Hinch conducted the Presentation of Eagle Awards to the scouts. Scoutmaster Forrest delivered the Eagle Charge and the new Eagles participated in the Eagle Minute. The Retiring of the Colors was led by SPL Robins. A collation and reception with family, friends and honored guests followed the ceremony.

In order to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, boys must complete the requirements of six earlier ranks, earn a minimum of 21 merit badges out of 120 categories available, demonstrate a variety of leadership skills, organize and lead an approved service project that is beneficial to the community and complete a Board of Review documenting these achievements.

The achievements of Troop 48’s six newest Eagle Scouts are highlighted below.

Kyle John Flannery

Kyle John Flannery is a freshman at the University of Connecticut where he is a dean’s list student studying business and is a member of UConn Grind, the men’s Ultimate Frisbee team.

A 2014 graduate of Lynnfield High School, Flannery competed in cross country, hockey and track all four years for the Pioneers and was a member of the French Club.

Flannery’s Eagle Scout service project was performed at the Woburn Council of Social Concern where he directed a group of volunteers from Troop 48 to erect a storage shed and perform playground clean-up for the pre-school.

Flannery joined Troop 48 in January 2008 when he was awarded both the Scout Rank and the Tenderfoot Rank. He earned 2nd Class Rank in September 2008 and 1st Class Rank in February 2009. His Star Rank was awarded in September 2011, followed by Life Rank in March 2012 and Eagle Rank in August 2013. During his tenure as a Boy Scout with Troop 48, Flannery eared 23 merit badges and held three leadership positions: Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Instructor.

Ethan Hale Forrest

Ethan Hale Forrest is a senior at Lynnfield High School where he is the Student Council treasurer, a four-year Student Council representative and a member of the National Honor Society.

He has served as a captain of the soccer and tennis teams this year and also played basketball for the Pioneers. Ethan was named a 2014 Cape Ann League All-Star in soccer. He plans to attend college in New England and study biology.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Ethan secured funding for materials and led crews of adult and youth volunteers to paint large United States playground maps at the Huckleberry Hill School and the Summer Street School in Lynnfield.

Ethan joined Troop 48 at the Scout Rank in May 2008. He earned his Tenderfoot Rank in September 2008, his 2nd Class Rank in December 2008 and his 1st Class Rank in April 2009. His Star Rank was awarded in June 2010 followed by his Life Rank in January 2012 and his Eagle Rank on October 21, 2014. During his tenure with Boy Scout Troop 48, Ethan earned 29 merit badges and held four leadership positions: Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Instructor and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

Samuel Joseph Forrest

Samuel Joseph Forrest is a senior at Lynnfield High School where he is a Student Advisor, worked as a crew member for Theatre East and played soccer and tennis all four years for the Pioneers. Samuel plans to attend the University of New Haven and study marine biology.

For his Eagle Scout service project Sam directed adult and youth volunteers to develop an electronic inventory of deceased Lynnfield firefighters in area cemeteries using GPS data and digital imagery that was collected in the field.

Sam joined Troop 48 at the Scout Rank in May 2008. He earned his Tenderfoot Rank in September 2008, his 2nd Class Rank in December 2008 and his 1st Class Rank in April 2009. His Star Rank was awarded in June 2010 followed by his Life Rank in January 2012 and his Eagle Rank on October 21, 2014. As a Boy Scout with Troop 48, Sam earned 30 merit badges and held three leadership positions: Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Troop Guide.

James Nicholas Meagher

James Nicholas Meagher is a senior at St. John’s Preparatory School in Danvers where he is an officer for the Model United Nations, a video producer for the Eagle’s Nest, active in the Aviation Club and a member of the National Honor Society.

Outside of school, Meagher competes as a double trap shooter and recently returned from an international competition in Acapulco, Mexico. He plans to attend Worcester Polytechnic Institute and study mechanical engineering.

His Eagle Scout service project was completed at the Minute Man Sportsman’s Club in Burlington where he led his crew of volunteers in erecting a flagpole and developing an awards presentation area, including the construction of wooden pedestals.

James joined Troop 48 at the Scout Rank in May 2008. He earned his Tenderfoot Rank in September 2008 and both his 2nd Class Rank and 1st Class Rank in April 2009. His Star Rank was awarded in September 2010 followed by his Life Rank in November 2013 and his Eagle Rank on September 30, 2014. As a Boy Scout with Troop 48 Meagher earned 24 merit badges and held four leadership positions: Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Troop Guide and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.

Andrew Stephen Moorman

Andrew Stephen Moorman is a senior at Lynnfield High School where he is a member of the Key Club and has played soccer, basketball and baseball all four years. An active parishioner at Our Lady of the Assumption Parish, he was a nine-year altar server and two-year table leader. Andrew plans to attend Western New England University and study criminal justice.

Moorman’s Eagle Scout service project was performed at Lynnfield High School where his crew of adult and youth volunteers built a retaining wall and re-graded the area surrounding the sustainable gardens at the high school.

Andrew joined Boy Scout Troop 48 in May 2008 at the Scout Rank. He earned the ranks of Tenderfoot and 2nd Class in September 2008 and his 1st Class Rank in December 2008. He was awarded his Star Rank in September 2010 followed by his Life Rank in January 2012 and his Eagle Rank on December 8, 2014. As a Boy Scout with Troop 48, Moorman earned 29 merit badges and held three leadership positions: Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Troop Guide.

Brandon Mark Troisi

Brandon Mark Troisi is a senior at Lynnfield High School where he is a member of the Key Club, the Math Team and the National Honor Society. He was a four-year member of the football and wrestling teams. In football, as a senior, he received Cape Ann League All-Star honors. In wrestling, as a junior and senior, he received both Cape Ann League All-Star and All-League honors.

In 2015, Troisi placed first in the Div. 3 North Sectional tournament and third in the Div. 3 State Wrestling tournament. He has been an altar server at Saint Maria Goretti Parish for seven years. Brandon plans to attend college in New England and study engineering.

His Eagle Scout service project was completed in Lynn Woods Reservation where he secured funds and directed teams of adult and youth volunteers to construct various trail signs and markers and then install the markers out in the field.

Brandon joined Troop 48 at the Scout Rank in May 2008. He earned the Tenderfoot Rank in September 2008, his 2nd Class Rank in December 2008 and his 1st Class Rank in January 2009. He was awarded his Star Rank in February 2010 followed by his Life Rank in February 2012 and his Eagle Rank on October 5, 2014.

Additionally, Troisi earned a Bronze Palm in January 2015. This designation can only be earned after a scout earns his Eagle Rank by completing additional requirements, which includes remaining active with his troop and patrol for at least three months after becoming an Eagle and earning five additional merit badges beyond those required for Eagle. As a scout with Troop 48, Troisi earned 29 merit badges and held three leadership positions: Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Troop Guide.