Accomplished WMC Grad Attains Eagle Scout

Nicholas Hamilton earned the highest rank in Cub Scouting–the Arrow of Light–and crossed over to Troop 436 in February, 2005.

Within nine months of joining the troop, Hamilton attained the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class. He served as an Assistant Patrol Leader and Troop Guide but most enjoyed his time as Troop Bugler. In addition to opening and closing troop meetings he was able to serve at summer camps, the town-wide Long Valley Camporee and at Veterans’ Day observances in town. He earned the Star and Life ranks, the last two before Eagle, while attending .

Time outdoors with the troop was one of the more memorable aspects of Hamilton’s scouting experience. Though a serious injury prevented him from traveling with his crew to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, he enjoyed numerous camping trips, particularly a canoe trip down the Delaware River and a High Adventure sailing trip in the Chesapeake Bay.

Hamilton’s Eagle Scout project, the Schooley’s Mountain Safety Corridor, grew out of his concern for the safety of young drivers in the vicinity of the local high school where the roads are steep, winding, and non-illuminated. After unsuccessfully negotiating with the local utility company about enhancing the safety of their utility poles, he presented a plan to the township and county whereby he was able to enlist a group of scouts in the installation of reflective signs at the most hazardous sites along the several roads that lead towards the high school.

In addition to his involvement with scouting, Hamilton is also an accomplished musician and a three-sport varsity athlete. In middle school he auditioned for and played with the North Jersey Regional Jazz Band and was named a Mayo Center for the Performing Arts Music Student of the Month. At he played first chair trumpet in the concert band. He played varsity lacrosse and was a co-captain of the varsity ice hockey team. Following his at West Morris he was named First Team All-Conference, First Team All-Morris County, First Team All-Area, and Third Team All-Group 3. He most recently started at defensive end in the and was awarded a David D. Hammar Foundation Annual Student/Athlete scholarship.

In the fall Hamilton will be attending the University of Maryland where he will major in Communication, an interest that may be rooted in his junior year experience with the National History Day competition. The team he lead produced a documentary which earned them a place in the state finals.

In the future, Hamilton hopes to combine his lifelong interest in social justice with many of the values he tried to develop as a Scout. The central idea in the three citizenship merit badges is that the individual in any community has an obligation to the group as a whole. He says, “I’d like to be someplace where I can work with people and have a chance every day to be part of the change I envision in the world.”

Hamilton will officially receive his Eagle Scout ranking in a ceremony at Schooley's Mountain Lodge on July 14 at 10 a.m.

Information and photo provided by Paul Hamilton.

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