New Eagle Scouts take flight
Oct 10, 2021
From left, Patty Amaral, Nelson Amaral and their son, Eagle Scout Aiden Amaral; Eagle Scout Zachary Joubert and his parents Joseph Joubert and Robin Joubert shortly after the two young men received their Eagle Scout honors. Photo by: Sandy Quadros Bowles
Aiden Amaral with some of the cans he collected to purchase items for the Humane Society & Shelter SouthCoast. Photo courtesy: Amaral family.
Zachary Joubert with the blessing box he constructed for the Smith Mills Congregational Church. Photo courtesy: Joubert family.
Aiden Amaral with the pet beds his effort provided for the the Humane Society & Shelter SouthCoast. Photo courtesy: Amaral family.
The blessing box, which Zachary Joubert constructed, allows people to provide and receive canned goods. Photo courtesy: Joubert family.
Thanks to their hard work and dedication, and on the wings of their families and communities, Aiden Amaral and Zachary Joubert have soared to the highest ranking in Boy Scouting.
The two Dartmouth residents, both members of Dartmouth Troop 74, officially became Eagle Scouts during a court of honor Sunday, Oct. 10 at the Wamsutta Club in New Bedford.
They join fewer than 6 percent of Boy Scouts to obtain that honor, according to Troop Advancement Chair Corey Ferreira.
To become an Eagle Scout, scouts must earn at least 21 merit badges, demonstrate Scout Spirit, and an ideal attitude based upon the Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership within their unit.
One of the final requirements to gain the title is a community service project.
Aidan conducted a supply drive for The Humane Society & Shelter SouthCoast.
As with so many plans during the pandemic, his project changed. He had originally planned to solicit donations from the public. Instead, because of restrictions, he collected cans by himself and redeemed them.
He was able to secure enough money to provide the shelter with eight new pet beds and supplies such as buckets, paper towels, laundry detergent and cleansers.
Zachary constructed a new, weathertight Blessing Box in front of Smith Mills Congregational Church, his troop’s chartered organization.
The new box was secured to a cemented pedestal that he built. The blessing box, which Ferreira said has already been used by community members, stores canned food donations, which can then be taken by those in need.
The Eagle Scout honor comes with responsibility, Ferreira said. “As an Eagle Scout, you become a guide to other scouts,” he told them.
The new Eagle Scouts’ parents — Nelson and Patti Amaral and Joseph and Robin Joubert — fought back tears as they addressed their sons during the ceremony.
“I’m really proud of you,” said Nelson Amaral. “I hope you remember all the good times you had and the friends you made.”
“It’s been a long, fun road,” said Joseph Joubert. “I’m really going to miss it.”
