By Dan Aceto

Staff Writer

It was the day Taylor Sutkowski had looked forward to ever since he joined Cub Scouts in first grade.

Last Saturday Sutkowski, 15, of Scarborough, was “charged” with the status of Eagle Scout by Scoutmasters, troop leaders and troop officials of Troop 39 at Black Point Congregational Church in Scarborough. 

Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting, can only be attained after Scouts complete a major community service project and are awarded 24 merit badges, seven of which are necessary just for Eagle.

Sutkowski built a boardwalk that extends through a portion of the Scarborough Marsh opposite the Audubon center.

“It was a tough project, but it was definitely a lot of fun,” Sutkowski said.

Sutkowski, who volunteers at Scarborough marsh in his spare time, said he approached Linda Woodard of Scarborough Audubon Society for suggestions about his community service project. She suggested the idea because the existing trail was in need of work.

Woodard said thousands of school children frequent the area each year and a boardwalk is good to have.

“The one we had would always get washed away from the tide and we didn’t have enough of it,” Woodard said. “In addition to building the new boardwalk, Tanner also put a wire that connects the pieces together so they don’t float away. The new boardwalk is such an obvious difference from the one we had previous years.”

The boardwalk, which is approximately 300 feet long, will allow pedestrians a closer look at the area from a path directly through the marsh instead of alongside the road. Because the area is below sea level, the earth is usually muddy and makes trail conditions less than desirable. 

Sutkowski said he worked on the project during February break from school and spent six to seven hours each day assembling and laying the boards. But he wasn’t alone in his efforts. 

“Whenever anyone goes toward Eagle Scout, all the other Scouts come together and help out. It makes it a lot more fun and easier too,” Sutkowski said. 

Aside from fellow Scouts, volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard also helped install the boardwalk, which was completed on Earth Day, April 24, Sutkowski said. 

Sutkowski contacted local businesses such as Lowe’s to donate boards, Ace Hardware for nails and other supplies and Risbara Brothers for other materials. In total, he raised more than $200 for the boardwalk.

But Sutkowski didn’t complete just one major project during the past year.

In addition to being promoted to Eagle Scout, Sutkowski was awarded the U.S Congressional Award for Young Americans. The award, which is open to 14- to 23-year-olds throughout the country in bronze, silver and gold levels, requires individuals set and meet goals in four specific categories: volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration. 

Sutkowski, who will be awarded the bronze level, completed 200 hours of public service, 70 hours of personal development, 90 hours of physical fitness and a two-day exploration last summer with high-altitude hiking in France and Switzerland.

 Sutkowski said he hopes to achieve the gold level of recognition by his senior year in high school, which requires 400 hours of community service and 200 hours of physical fitness.

“I feel proud and extremely happy of the work I’ve done and it’s definitely set me up for helping achieve goals later in life,” Sutkowski said.

Sutkowski said he already has considered potential colleges to attend and might pursue a degree in either business or biology at Notre Dame or the University of Dayton in Ohio. 

Michelle Larkin, advancement chairman of Troop 39 responsible for promoting Scouts, said the Eagle Scout is a distinguished position that three of every 100 Scouts attain. Larkin said she was incredibly impressed by the amount of time Sutkowski gave to the community for someone only 15 years old.

“Looking at what he’s accomplished now, I only know he’s going to go somewhere in life,” said Larkin.

Larkin said Eagle Status is a prestigious accomplishment and that 26 of the first 29 astronauts were Eagle Scouts.

“This isn’t just something that everybody earns. Anyone that gets Eagle, you know they will excel,” Larkin said.

Sutkowski said his experience in Scouts has not only taught him to become a better person but a leader as well.

“I’m definitely a more well-rounded and nice guy after joining Scouts. I’ve seen myself develop over time from being shy in sixth grade to more outgoing with the rest of the troop,” Sutkowski said. “Whenever younger Scouts need help, I try and be there for them as a leader. If anyone wants to, they can become a leader and the Scouts is a great way to do it.”

Staff Writer Dan Aceto can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 237.