Closter Boy Scout Troop 63 is pleased to announce that Connor Goranson, 16, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout on Feb. 23. He is the troop’s 86th Eagle Scout since the troop was established in 1917.
For his Eagle Scout service project, Connor led a team of fellow scouts in building a pergola with a patio, storage benches and planter boxes at MacBain Farm in Closter. The farm belongs to the citizens of Closter, who are welcome to pick vegetables grown on the farm for free. The pergola sits at the entrance, a great spot for volunteers and visitors to catch some shade on warm days.
“I’ve enjoyed visiting MacBain since I was little, so I knew this was where I wanted to do my service project,” Connor said. “It was my job to raise over $3,200 for expenses, negotiate pricing from suppliers, create plans, and organize and lead the work days.”
In order to attain the highest rank in Scouting, a scout must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges. Connor has earned an extraordinary 39 merit badges to date, so he will also be awarded a Silver Eagle Palm. He was additionally inducted into the Order of the Arrow, which is the national honor society of Scouting.
Connor is currently a junior at Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, where along with his studies, he is involved in cross country, winter track, spring track and jazz band. During his time in scouting, Connor has camped in the wilderness throughout the Northeast, canoed over 50 miles in the Adirondacks, served in several leadership roles, mentored younger scouts, volunteered at Summer Cub Scout Camp for five years and has demonstrated excellent citizenship through community service.
The next Troop 63 Court of Honor, which will celebrate the current class of Closter Eagle Scouts, will be held later in the year.
—Jodi Levin
