Printer Friendly Version - District’s First Female Eagle Scout, Venturing Crew’s First Eagle Scout Celebrated at Branford Court of Honor

Branford State Representative Robin Comey, center, reads a proclamation during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor awarding the scouting’s highest rank to Victoria Freeman (left) and Daniel Rowe (right) July 9. Photo Courtesy Branford Troop 6424/Venturing Crew 424

Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove recognizes the new Eagle Scouts’ accomplishments, both involving town projects, during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor awarding the scouting’s highest rank to Victoria Freeman and Daniel Rowe on July 9. Photo Courtesy Branford Troop 6424/Venturing Crew 424

Eagle Scouts Daniel Rowe and Victoria Freeman. Photo Courtesy Branford Troop 6424/ Venturing Crew 424

On July 9, Branford Troop 6424 Committee awarded the first female scout to earn the Eagle Scout Merit Badge from our district, and Venturing Crew 424 awarded the first Eagle Scout Merit Badge in the history of the unit, during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor, truly a historic landmark.

The units came together in a memorable Court of Honor to recognize the achievements of Victoria Freeman and Daniel Rowe, both Scouts in our Boy Scouts of America (BSA) units, as they earned the rank of Eagle Scout. This is the highest honor in the BSA. Both of these scouts are long-time members of the Trinity Church Community in Branford.

Each received their Eagle Badge and medal on July 9 during an Eagle Court of Honor held at Parish Hall of Trinity Church. State Representative Robin Comey presented the Eagle Scouts with CT State Citations. Branford First Selectman Jamie Cosgrove and Director of Parks and Recreation Alex Palluzzi, Jr. also presented Town honors.

The representatives from Quinnipiac District and CT Yankee Council were also in attendance. All the scouting units from Trinity, from Cub Scout Pack to the Boy Troop, the Girl Troop and our Venturing Crew, put together a wonderful event.

The multi-year journey to the Eagle Scout Award is one of the most involved and transformative experiences a young person can have. They try new things through the merit badge program, develop confidence in the outdoors, practice leadership tactics, and plan, develop and give leadership to a service project that benefits their community.

Freeman is the first female Eagle Scout in our district. This is a great distinction for Branford and for all our scouting units.

Rowe is the first to earn the rank of Eagle Scout in our Venturing Crew. Both these scouts bring years of incredible work and dedication to our town.

For her eagle scout service project, Freeman restored benches and built new picnic tables at the Supply Pond. For his eagle scout service project, Rowe renovated the pavilion at Veteran’s Park. We are deeply grateful to the Town of Branford Parks and Recreation Department for allowing our scouts these opportunities.

But the scouting experience goes far deeper than one big project. Freeman and Rowe and also learned courage and hard work will help them in other parts of their life — both in college and beyond.