Troop 489 applauds gaining Scouting’s highest rank
Jack Thole, Ben Guarino and Alex Duncan — members of Boy Scout Troop 489 in Hillsborough — have attained the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouting.
On June 22, a Court of Honor was held at the Hillsborough Municipal Building to celebrate the achievements. The event was attended by the Scouts’ families, friends and members of Troop 489.
Earning the rank of Eagle is the culmination of years of work in Scouting, and is something fewer than 7 percent of Boy Scouts achieve. Among other requirements, Scouts must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, pass a comprehensive Eagle Board of Review and develop a community project for which they must gain all necessary approvals, raise funds and manage the project to completion.
For his Eagle project Jack designed and built three equipment sheds for the YMCA of Hillsborough’s summer camp. The sheds are used to hold sports gear and other supplies for the campers. Jack was actively involved in the YMCA for most of his childhood and he was happy to be able to give back to the Y community. He is the son of Alex and Lori Thole.
Ben Guarino is the younger son of Steve and Michele Guarino, and has lived in Hillsborough since the age of one. Ben attended Ockanickon Scout Reservation as a camper for three years, then became counselor in training and then a counselor of shooting sports in 2010. Ben’s Eagle project was to design and build three benches for the People Care Center for Non-Profits, located in Bridgewater. Ben is the first in his family to achieve the rank.
Alex’s Eagle project was the design and construction of picnic tables that he donated to the Jr. Raiders football program for use at the Triangle Road football complex. Alex is a former Jr. Raiders player and the son of Dan and Arlene Duncan. He is the second member of his family to earn the rank of Eagle, following in the footsteps of his uncle, Ron Williams of Vernon.