When Kevin Small first joined the boy scouts, he was not overjoyed
about the prospect of camping out in the wilderness. "No
video games, no toilet paper? What kind of fun is that, I said.
But after a few times I really got to like it," said Small.
In fact, Small got to like so many things about scouting that
he has stayed in for over ten years and recently attained its
highest rank, Eagle Scout.
Small was officially promoted to Eagle during a ceremony Thursday
night, August 13, at Trinity Episcopal Church on Sigourney Street.
He is the first Eagle Scout from Troop 263 in over 20 years.
Only two percent of all boy scouts in the United States are able
to attain the rank of Eagle Scout.
Small, currently a resident of West Hartford, lived in Hartford's
Blue Hills neighborhood for 14 years. He joined the scouts at
age eight and steadily worked his way through the ranks. Although
only 22 merit badges are needed to reach the Eagle rank, Small
has earned an amazing 34 over the course of his scouting career.
As a community service project he built several flower boxes
that are specially designed for gardeners who are confined to
wheelchairs.
A graduate of Conard High School, Small plans to attend the University
of Connecticut this fall and major in chemical engineering.
Troop 263 Scoutmaster Bryan Hall officially presented small with
his Eagle Badge. The Eagle Charge was administered to him by
Eagle Scout Roberto Sanchez of Troop 105. Dr. David G. Carter,
President of Eastern Connecticut State University, and James
Willingham, Scout Executive and CEO of the Connecticut Rivers
Council both spoke at Thursday's ceremony.
