By Grace Allen

Five Boy Scouts from Norfolk Troop 80 were honored in May for achieving the highest award in the Boy Scout program, the rank of Eagle Scout.

On Friday, May 31, Tommy Cambria, Luca Giardini, Alden Hardy, Chris Mosley, and Jackson Putt were recognized at the Eagle Court of Honor celebration, held at the Norfolk Grange. 

Eagle Scout projects must be developed, planned, and led by a Scout, and benefit a religious, school, or community organization. Scouts serve as project managers and team leaders, soliciting help from fellow Scouts, family, and friends to execute the often complex and ambitious projects. Nationally, only about 6% of Boy Scouts achieve the Eagle rank. 

As they rose through the ranks of Scouting, each boy earned numerous merit badges, which are awards earned within an area of study. Topics range from camping to survival skills to first aid, plus much more. Each boy also performed hours of community service throughout their years in Scouting. Finally, at the culmination of the Scouting journey, each boy completed an individual Eagle Scout project and passed an Eagle Scout Board of Review.

Tommy Cambria

For his Eagle project, Tommy Cambria installed a “blessings box” for the Federated Church of Norfolk. The shed will be used as a 24-hour pantry for food, clothes, and personal items, with the understanding of “leave what you can, take what you need.” Norfolk’s food pantry has limited hours, while the new shed allows anonymity and more flexibility for people in need.

Working with the church, Cambria raised the funds to purchase the shed and accessories. He also had to relocate a garden where the shed was to be installed.

Cambria is a senior at Tri-County High School and resides in Norfolk.

Luca Giardini

Luca Giardini’s Eagle project was to design, build, and install five chair swings at Leland Wildlife Preserve, the former airport in Norfolk. Leland Wildlife Preserve, open to the public, encompasses nearly 200 acres of wildlife habitat. The swing project will provide spots for visitors to relax and enjoy time outdoors in this protected area.

Working with Leland Wild’s executive director, Kyle Pribish, Giardini and a team of assistants completed the project. The public is invited to stop by and see their efforts while exploring the property.

Giardini, a Norfolk resident and 2024 King Philip High School graduate, is attending the University of Rhode Island to study engineering.

Alden Hardy

For his Eagle project, Alden Hardy designed and assembled seven feral cat shelters for the Mansfield Animal Shelter. The 18” x 20” shelters have been placed across the area and are an important management strategy for the Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program. The TNR program focuses on spaying, vaccinations, and ear tipping, considered humane treatment for feral cat populations.

Hardy and fellow Scouts worked in the Wrentham Council on Aging facility to construct the shelters, which were designed using a computer aided-drawing program.

Hardy, a Wrentham resident and 2024 King Philip High School graduate, is attending Wentworth Institute of Technology to study cybersecurity.

Chris Mosley

Chris Mosley came to Norfolk from San Jose, California in 2020, where he was also a Boy Scout. After joining Troop 80 to continue his Scouting journey, Mosley worked towards his Eagle rank by creating a prayer garden at the church he and his family attend. Working with fellow Scouts, Mosely cleaned the area of invasive shrubs and weeds, and installed two benches and a Japanese maple tree, plus mulch.

The project entailed working with church clergy to develop sketches for the area, and then executing the vision while planning for the future. Plantings will grow and provide shade for the meditative area.

Mosley is a 2024 graduate of King Philip High School and is attending Suffolk University to study biochemistry.

Jackson Putt

Jackson Putt’s Eagle Scout project was to build 28 new tree stands for the Norfolk Lions Club’s annual Christmas tree sale. The project replaced stands that were over 20 years old. Putt met with the Lions Club board to propose the project and go over its budget. He worked with other Troop 80 Scouts to disassemble the old stands and build new ones, recycling materials as much as possible.

The Lions’ annual Christmas tree sale is the club’s most important fundraiser, and its proceeds support local, regional, and national causes. 

Putt, from Norfolk, is a 2024 graduate of Xaverian Brothers High School and is attending the University of South Carolina to study exercise science.