2 Derby Boy Scouts attain Eagle rank

Pictured from left at Second Congregational Church in Derby are state Rep. Themis Klarides, R-Derby, Eagle Scouts David Ahearn and James Butler, state Rep. Linda M. Gentile, D-Ansonia, and state Sen. Joseph J.Crisco, D-Woodbridge. / Contributed photo 

 

DERBY - Housatonic Council Boy Scout Troop 3 members David Ahearn and James Butler were recently recognized for achieving Eagle Scout Rank during a Court of Honor at the Troop’s sponsoring organization, the Derby Second Congregational Church.

David William Ahearn Jr., 18, is the son of Gina Mattei and David Ahearn Sr. and the younger brother of Louis Ahearn. He is a resident of Derby and a parishioner at St. Mary’s Church.

Ahearn joined Troop 3 at age 12, and was a member of the Whirling Dervishes patrol. He then became patrol leader of the Bananas in Pajamas Patrol, where they placed 4th at the Housatonic Council Klondike Derby.  David has also served as Troop Guide and as a Den Chief for Pack 3. He has earned 26 merit badges.

Ahearn participated in the Adventure to Eagle program at Strang Scout Reservation and Troop 3’s Block Island camping and cycling trip. He was a staff member of Camp Strang in 2011, where he taught outdoor skills in the first year camper program. He also attended the 2010 National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia with Troop 434, Connecticut Yankee Council, where he served as assistant patrol leader.

Ahearn recently graduated from Derby High School, where he was ranked sixth in his class. He has participated on the football, outdoor track, and wrestling teams. He was a football captain of the 6-4 Red Raiders, and made the All-NVL Brass and All-Valley teams at the right guard position. In outdoor track, David competed in shot-put and discus at the class-s state level and finished 2nd at his league championships for discus in 2013. Ahearn managed to accomplish a .500 record in the varsity 195-pound class, and lead the team in escapes despite only wrestling for one year.

Ahearn's project was the renovation of a nature viewing center, and the building of a new four-sided kiosk for the Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby.

He will attend Eastern Connecticut State University and major in biology. His goal is to go to dental school and become a dentist in the U.S Navy.

James “Jimmy” Butler, 14, is a lifelong Derby resident.  He is the son of Troop 3 Committeeman James and Andrea Butler and has two older sisters, Julianna and Sarah Butler. He is a parishioner at St. Michael's Church in Derby.

Jimmy began Scouting as a Tiger Cub in Pack 3 with Beverly Martin and he eventually earned the Webelos Arrow of Light award.
He has been a member of the Troop 3 Whirling Dervishes Patrol, where he has earned 58 merit badges , served as Den Chief, Quarter Master and Patrol Leader.  Jimmy has participated in many troop camp outs and he looks forward to once again attending summer camp at Strang Scout Reservation.

Jimmy is a brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow Paugassett Lodge 553.  He has served as an OA representative for the troop, Secretary on the Executive board and is currently a Vice Chief.

Jimmy had the privilege of attending the 100^th anniversary of scouting National Jamboree in 2010 at Fort AP Hill, Va.  He participated in Troop 3’s West Coast trip in 2011 and the Florida Sea Base trip in 2012.  He will be attending the 2013 National Scout Jamboree at Bechtel Summit in West Virginia.

Jimmy is a freshman at Derby High School, where he is a member of the football, wrestling and track teams. He was also a member in the winter football league for three years and his team was recognized  by the mayor for being undefeated for all three years.

His Eagle Scout project consisted of cleaning up the area and sign installation at Witek Park off of Prindle Avenue in Derby.   

This project was done with the intent to beautify the area and make it more appealing to fishermen and visitors and to encourage others to enjoy the beauty of this area of the park.   

Jimmy’s goal is to attend the Naval Academy at Annapolis or Military Academy at West Point.

Mayor Anthony Staffieri presented the Scouts with gifts and proclamations. Also presenting proclamations were state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, state Rep. Linda  M. Gentile and state Rep.Themis Klarides.
The Court of Honor was under the direction of Troop 3 Assistant Scoutmaster James Frovarp.

The honorees are the 288^th and 289^th Scouts in Troop 3 Derby’s 99-year history to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout.

This post is taken from a press release from Scoutmaster Randy Ritter.