Troop 20 Johnston inducts four Eagle Scouts

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Troop 20 Johnston’s convocation of Eagle Scouts grew by four last Sunday as Adam Bouchard, Richard Ballirano, Zachary DiCarlo, and Antonio Martinelli were elevated to the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank.

“Today is an important day in the life of each one of these scouts, it’s an important day for each of their families, an important day in the life of the troop, it’s an important day for our nation, for our state and our community,” said Troop 20 Scoutmaster David Curtin. “There are two things that we really try to teach through Scouting: leadership and citizenship. The young men here today are the future leaders of our nation, our state and community.”

The Eagle Scout award is a culmination of years’ worth of efforts and sacrifices on behalf of the scout, his adult leaders, and his family and friends. It is the highest and most coveted award in Boy Scouts, and the last major step in the organization’s advancement program. Nationwide, less than 2 percent of all boys who join scouting earn the lifetime distinction.

“I’m honored to congratulate the Eagle Scouts and their families because I recognize the dedication, commitment and perseverance that these young men have made to attain this goal,” said Major Joseph Razza, Uniformed Division Commander with the Johnston Police Department. “With this success, you can achieve anything.”

To become an Eagle, the young men needed to earn a minimum of 21 Merit Badges. The scouts were also required to serve in leadership roles in the troop, as well as planning and developing an Eagle Service Project in which they led fellow scouts for the benefit of the community. They participated in hundreds of campouts, meetings, special ceremonies and community events while learning lifelong skills on their way towards becoming better citizens.

State Sen. Frank Lombardo, also an Eagle Scout, asked the new Eagles to continue to act as community leaders and improve the world around them.

“Now that you have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, society will expect more from you,” said Lombardo to the new Eagles. “As an Eagle Scout, I challenge you to be among those who dedicate their skills and abilities to the common good. Build America on a solid foundation of clean living, honest work, unselfish citizenship and reverence to God, and you will leave behind a record which every scout will be proud of.”

Repeating his master of ceremonies duty during the ceremony was Johnston State Rep. Stephen Ucci, who also became an Eagle Scout with Troop 20 in 1987.

“Remember, you are now Eagle Scouts, and that is something you have to live with every day, in every one of your actions, in everything you do and in everything you’re involved in,” said Ucci.

All four young men earned their first rank of Scout on May 6, 2010 and participated in Cub Scouts before that. Their Eagle Court followed the young men’s trail through Scouting, with stops at each rank explaining the skills they attained along the way. Central tenants of scouting, such as the Scout Oath and Law, were explored in detail to provide the audience of about 100 a background of the lessons the boys learned through the program.

Highlighting the ceremony was the Eagle Scout Promise, which reaffirmed the obligations and responsibilities of the rank of Eagle. It was then that the four new Eagles pledged to do their best to use their training and experiences as an example to others and to make their influence count strongly toward creating a better community and healthier environment.

Along with citations from Major Razza, Rep. Ucci and Sen. Lombardo, multiple awards and recognitions were bestowed upon the four scouts for their accomplishments. Citations on behalf of Father John LaPointe of St. Robert Bellarmine Church, Senators Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse, Congressman James Langevin, Governor Gina Raimondo, Lieutenant Governor Dan McKee, Secretary of State Nellie Gorbea, and the Town of Johnston were presented to them.

Adam Bouchard, 17, earned a total of 37 Merit Badges and served as a Patrol Leader, Instructor, Senior Patrol Leader and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He plans on attending the University of Rhode Island upon graduation. He acknowledged the contributions of scout leaders and family in obtaining Eagle Scout.

“In my entire Scouting experience, I’ve had the pleasure of sharing so many memories with these guys behind me, and there’s no other people I’d rather be on stage with today,” said Bouchard. “Being involved in Scouting offers you so many opportunities you may not otherwise have a chance to share in.”

Richard Ballirano’s leadership positions include Patrol Leader, Instructor and Senior Patrol Leader. He earned 36 Merit Badges. In his speech, he thanked his parents, grandparents and leaders for their commitment to his journey.

“Scouting has been so much fun, and it’s been an amazing ride. It allowed me to experience new adventures and make lifelong memories with some of these boys,” said Ballirano. “It allowed me to create such a unique and incredible bond of brotherhood with these boys who became like a family to me.”

Earning 32 Merit Badges, Zachary DiCarlo was the troop’s Scribe and also served as a Patrol Leader and Instructor. The 18-year-old hopes to attend Assumption College when he graduates. He, too, credited his parents for their dedication to him.

“Boy Scouts has been instrumental in my life,” said DiCarlo.” Throughout my journey, Boy Scouts has had a major impact on my life. It’s challenged me to grow physically and mentally.”

Antonio Martinelli, 18, earned 30 Merit Badges in his scouting career and served as a Patrol Leader, Instructor and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. His future plans include attending Iona College. He thanked his parents for giving him “a kick in the butt” from time to time to keep him motivated, along with family and scout leaders.

“It blows my mind to think that I’d ever be standing here. It’s been really incredible the entire way, I’ve loved every second of it,” said Martinelli. He then provided the following advice to his fellow scouts. “Life is going to be really complicated. It’s going to throw you curveballs, you’ve probably experienced that already, and it may seem to get bad, but keep to the course. It’s one crazy ride, but it’s fun.”

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