by June Portnoy
In the world of scouting, the journey from Cub Scouts to Eagle Scouts is a long and challenging one. For six young men from Holland, that journey has been one of friendship, perseverance, and personal growth. As seniors at Council Rock High School South, five of them have achieved the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout, while one remains a Life Scout, well on his way to joining his friends at the pinnacle of scouting. Over the years, they have enjoyed shared experiences, personal triumphs, and the deep bonds formed through Troop 147.
Owen Boyes, James Goodwin, Justin Gontarek, Merrick Kenney, Hunter Stack, and Walter Scarborough III began their scouting journey together as Cub Scouts. Over the years, they tackled challenges, earned merit badges, and supported each other through countless adventures. Whether it was high-adventure treks, community service projects, or leadership roles within their troop, their collective experience has shaped them into the young men they are today.
“Our friendship has affected us all a lot over the years,” said Justin. “It really has made my scouting experience so much more enjoyable, having them by my side at every meeting and camping trip. These five boys are like brothers to me, and I will always keep our friendship growing.”
Each scout had unique experiences and challenges, but one common theme was their development as leaders. Hunter, who served as Senior Patrol Leader, reflected on the challenges of leading an entire troop. “That first month as a leader was the most frustrating and stressful time of my life. I thought I could handle everything myself, but I quickly realized that leadership is about delegation and trust. Learning that changed everything for me.”
Similarly, Owen took great pride in being a role model for younger scouts. “One thing I’ve learned from scouting is to always be there for someone when they are down. The effect it can have on someone is unmatched.”
Walter highlighted the invaluable lessons he gained through scouting. “I have learned many skills while in scouting, but the most important one I learned was how to lead,” he said. Walter, who has been in scouting since he was five years old, attributes much of his growth to the program and the friendships he built along the way. “I am glad that I’ve had friends all throughout scouting. I wouldn’t have enjoyed it as much if they weren’t there”
James Goodwin, another dedicated scout, emphasized the importance of leadership in his scouting experience. “I was the New Scout Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (New Scout ASPL) and the New Scout Patrol Leader after that, spending two years training the first-year Scouts on the basics of the Troop and ensuring their advancement through the ranks,” he said. “I had to learn to be extremely patient, as these boys were at the perfect age to have a minimal attention span and not look cute while talking over me.”
Merrick, still working toward his Eagle rank, found great joy in high-adventure experiences like Sea Base in St. Thomas. “We sailed around the island for five days, almost never leaving the boat. We got to fish, snorkel, and swim with animals like sea turtles, fish, and sharks. It was an experience I’ll never forget.”
A significant milestone for every scout is completing their Eagle Scout project, an endeavor that requires planning, leadership, and community service.
Justin’s project focused on installing hardware and hanging 33 flags around the perimeter of Holland Elementary School. “My leadership skills played a huge role on the day of the project. Assigning tasks and making the process efficient was a challenge, but seeing the finished project before the first day of school was incredibly rewarding.”
Hunter built two shelters for AARK, a wildlife rehabilitation center. “Planning logistics, execution, and the aftermath of paperwork were all challenges, but seeing the impact of our work made every obstacle worth it.”
Owen contributed by building picnic tables for Tyler State Park. “The biggest challenge was finishing everything within my time frame. I had to delegate tasks effectively, but in the end, we got it done.”
Walter also completed an impactful Eagle project, building a storage room for a food pantry at his church. “I had trouble planning and organizing it because it was the first time I had taken on a project of that size,” he admitted. Yet, through perseverance and leadership, he successfully completed the project, making a lasting contribution to his community.
James’ Eagle project focused on sending 150 care packages to National Guard troops stationed in Africa. “Due to the nature of the project, I learned a lot about logistics and organization,” he said. “But contrarily, I learned much more about people and the way we think. Numbers aren’t everything; sometimes feeling your way through it is ten times more worth it.”
Troop 147 stands out for its strong community and high success rate in producing Eagle Scouts. “There are lots of troops that barely have any scouts achieve the Eagle rank,” said Merrick. “But our troop has Eagle Scouts coming out of it left and right. That speaks to our dedication.”
The troop’s leaders have played an instrumental role in the scouts’ success. “If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be an Eagle Scout today,” said Justin. “They helped us learn crucial skills and motivated us every step of the way.”
Paula Scarborough, Walter’s mother. emphasized that scouting instilled valuable life skills in the boys, shaping them as leaders both within their troop and in other areas of their lives. She credited the dedicated leadership of Troop 147, noting the tireless efforts of the Scoutmasters and committee members who helped guide the Scouts along their path to achieving Eagle rank.
“The leadership works hard, and is solely volunteer-based, collaborating, researching, and scheduling activities that give the Scouts the opportunity to have the best scouting experience that they can possibly have,” she said. Paula also highlighted the troop’s strong relationship with Northampton Presbyterian Church, where meetings are held and where the Scouts receive consistent support from the church staff.
For these six young men, scouting has been more than just earning badges; it has been about the friendships, leadership lessons, and experiences that will stay with them for a lifetime as they embark on their separate journeys upon graduation this year. Their story demonstrates the power of perseverance, teamwork, and the impact of scouting on young lives.