Sajan Patel, of Monmouth Junction, earned the highest rank award the Boy Scouts of America offers to Scouts, the Eagle Scout Award, according to a press release.
Sajan was recognized in ceremonies on Saturday, Oct. 25 at the South Brunswick Senior Center. As a resident of this community and a member of Troop 888 of Monmouth Council, BSA, sponsored by the Dayton Village Citizens’ Coalition.
Sajan is one of approximately four percent of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank, according to Scoutmaster Larry Smith.
Sajan completed his Eagle Board of Review on Aug. 13, and passed with flying colors, according to the release.
He is the first, and youngest, member of his original patrol to achieve the rank of Eagle.
To achieve the Eagle Award, a Scout must be active with a troop, earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, hold a position of leadership in a troop and successfully complete a service project that benefits his community, according to the release.
For his project, Sajan chose to build a bulletin board near the tennis courts at Woodlot Park in South Brunswick. He also built and installed two park benches and freshened up a garden with the addition of some plants and bushes.
Sajan has served as a senior patrol leader, attended numerous summer camps and even completed the National Youth Leadership Training course, specified for Scouts looking to become leaders in their troops and the real world.
Sajan joins other outstanding American citizens who have become Eagle Scouts, among them former President Gerald R. Ford, Jr., astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, cinematographer Steven Spielberg, and the former head of the F.B.I., William Sessions, according to the release.
Sajan also participates in a community services outside of Boy Scouts including the South Brunswick High School JV Lacrosse Team, Asian Club, and is also Co-Founder of the X-STEM Club at the high school, where he is a Junior.
Sajan is the son of Nita and Binoy Patel of Monmouth Junction.