Connor DiAngelo advances to the rank of Eagle Scout
By Mike Lange
Staff Writer
GREENVILLE — For the first time in more than 30 years, an Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held in Greenville Sunday afternoon.
And what made the event even more special was the fact that the new Eagle Scout, Connor DiAngelo, is the son of Troop 120 Scoutmaster Joe DiAngelo.
“This troop started off several years ago with just six boys,” Joe DiAngelo recalled. “So this is a very special day for all of us.”
Observer photo/Mike Lange
FOR DAD — Connor DiAngelo attaches a Scout tie clasp to his father Joe DiAngelo’s uniform at Sunday’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor.
The ceremony took place at the Holy Family Catholic Church function hall; and despite another storm that dumped 8 inches of fresh powder on Greenville, nearly 50 family members and friends showed up for the observance.
Following the invocation by Deacon John Guerin, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and Scout oath, three candles were lit representing each major point of Scout law: duty to God and country, duty to others and duty to self.
An additional dozen candles were lit to underscore the other attributes of a good Scout: Trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
DiAngelo’s fellow troop members outlined the new Eagle Scout’s path to the elite rank, starting with earning his Tenderfoot rating and finishing with a major community service project.
Observer photo/Mike Lange
ON MY HONOR — Katahdin Area Council District Director Adam Briggs administers the Eagle Scout oath to Connor DiAngelo.
Last summer, DiAngelo planned and implemented the “restoration and beautification” of Red Cross Beach, a popular swimming area for Greenville residents and visitors.
This included placing signage along Crafts Road leading to the beach, building a new lifeguard stand, trail work and constructing a new dock.
Planning for the project began last May and it was completed by the end of the summer.
The Eagle Scout oath was administered by Adam Briggs, the district director of the Katahdin Council of Scouts. “When you live up to this obligation, you bring honor to yourself and your brother Scouts,” Briggs said. “Be a leader — but lead only toward the best. Lift up every task you do and every office you hold to the highest level of service to God and your fellow man.”
The new Eagle Scout was also presented with a legislative sentiment and an American flag that flew over the state capitol by State Rep. Paul Stearns and State Sen. Paul Davis. Stearns said that he is a former Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Explorer. “But unlike Connor, when I entered high school, I didn’t maintain the drive that only 5 percent of Scouts have to earn that Eagle badge,” Stearns said. “This is truly a very special occasion.”
Connor DiAngelo thanked everyone for their support, especially his parents — Joe and Bette — noting that without their encouragement “I wouldn’t be here today.” He thanked his fellow Scouts “who have been with me from the start … Scouting has been a major part of my life since I was a 6-year-old Tiger Cub. Back then, it was coloring books, picture books and having snacks.”
He said that his advancement to Boy Scout “seemed scary at first. But the more camping trips we went on, the more fun I had. But we learned a lot during the process.”
Observer photo/Mike Lange
LEGISLATIVE HONOR — The Maine Legislature recently honored Connor DiAngelo on his advancement to Eagle Scout. Pictured, from left, are State Rep. Paul Stearns, DiAngelo and State Sen. Paul Davis.
Observer photo/Mike Lange
THREE POINTS OF SCOUT LAW — Boy Scouts from Troop 120 light candles to represent the three points of Scout law during Sunday’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Pictured, from left, are Noah Pratt and brothers Ian and Wyatt Blackstone.
Observer photo/Mike Lange
BADGE OF HONOR — Bette DiAngelo pins on Connor DiAngelo’s Eagle Scout badge with dad Joe DiAngelo looking on.