Eagle Scout Shawn Benn places an Eagle Scout neckerchief on his son Isaac Benn during Isaac’s Eagle Scout ceremony. Submitted photo

WATERVILLE — Isaac Benn of Westbrook, son of Shawn and Sarah Benn, reached the highest peak in Scouting, the Eagle Scout rank, during a Troop 436 court of honor held June 2, at the Waterville Lodge 33 A.F. & A.M.

The ceremony was led by Colby College Professor Bruce Rueger, Scoutmaster of the same troop in 1987 when Isaac’s father received his Eagle Scout award.

“I am super proud of Isaac,” Shawn Benn said after administering the Eagle Scout Charge and watching as his wife pinned Isaac with the same Eagle Scout medal Shawn received in 1987, according to a news release from Chuck Mahaleris, district chairman for the Kennebec Valley District of Scouting.

Rueger explained that the distance between Waterville and Westbrook was a challenge but much of his time in the troop took place during COVID-19 and the troop held virtual meetings anyway. “During camping trips we would all meet at the place we were going so it all worked out,” he said.

According to Rueger, each Eagle Scout must complete a significant project to better their community. “Isaac’s project was the restoration of the Johnson Cemetery on County Road in Westbrook. He led a team that made a new sign, raked and pruned and cleaned up the grounds, and washed headstones so that the names of those buried could be more easily read.” His mother, Sarah, pointed out that they even found a forgotten child’s headstone under a pile of decaying leaves. This effort has received praise from the Westbrook Historical Society.

Isaac Benn completed all requirements prior to his 18th birthday. He is registered as an Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 436 and will be going into his sophomore year at the University of Southern Maine in September.

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