Brandon Franklin, Austin Davis, and Cote Small stand with Select Board Chairman Russ Fox and Sen. Don Humason. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
SOUTHWICK – Boy Scout Troop 114 held a special ceremony at the Town Hall Auditorium on Friday night as three members of the troop were honored with the Eagle Scout honor.
Cote Small, 18, Brandon Franklin, 16, and Austin Davis, 16, received the Eagle Scout badge.
“There are so many emotions going on,” said Franklin. “It’s an awesome feeling.”
Only 4% of boy scouts across the United States ever reach the Eagle Scout level. It is the highest of levels and is known as a long process.
According to Troop 114 Scoutmaster Todd Westcott, it takes about three months for scouts to earn their Eagle Scout badge.
They have to learn basic ways to survive outside including cooking, carrying a knife, an axe, as well as using a saw. The physical fitness aspect is important as scout have to learn how to stay in shape.
The three Eagle Scout honorees sit with their parents standing behind them. (Photo by Greg Fitzpatrick)
A personal management badge is also included as scouts learn how to budget their own money, dealing with allowances, and also how to invest money.
Westcott and the rest of the troop are happy to see the three scouts achieve the Eagle level.
“We’re very proud of them,” said Westcott. “We teach them to have pride in what they believe in.”
Quite possibly what could be the most important aspect to becoming a boy scout, is well before any scouts in that 4% achieve the highest level.
“The pay-off is the journey in getting there,” said Westcott. “Making Eagle (scout) is a bonus.”
Gail Franklin, who is the Advancement Chair for Troop 114, has been able to see all three boys work their way up in the troop, including her son Brandon.
“I’ve enjoyed watching the boys grow up,” said Franklin. “I’ve watched him (Brandon) go through the ranks.”
To start the Eagle Court, a number of former Eagle Scouts that were in attendance, were recognized. Then, the three kids about to be Eagle Scouts, were directed to sit on stage.
From there, Small, Franklin, and Davis took the pledge and then came up on stage to reveal their mentors throughout their experience with Troop 114.
Local officials then spoke, including Select Board Chairman Russ Fox and Sen. Don Humason.
After the ceremony was finished, the three Eagle Scout honorees stood by the exit doors while friends and family congratulated them.
Prior to the Eagle Court, the entire Troop 114 was honored for the work they have done in the past months. Westcott said that they typically like to hold a boy scout court to honor the troops about every six months as well as when any scouts evolve to Eagle Scout.
