LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Eagle Scout Earns Fourth Palm


Tom Helsel Photo provided

Tom Helsel is one of only three Boy Scouts to earn his fourth palm in the Aklan District over the last two years. Not only did he earn an additional 20 merit badges beyond what is required by Eagle but he has stayed active in his Troop for a year after earning Eagle. He recently led the new Scouts overnight and has been an outstanding example for the Troop's younger Scouts. At a recent Court of Honor, he was recognized by Scoutmaster Eric Jorgensen for his continued service to the Troop.

"Tom Helsel has received the bronze palm, the gold palm and the silver palm, he also has earned a fourth palm as he completed twice as many merit badges that is required for Eagle Scout," said Jorgensen in an email. "Tom has been an extraordinary Scout who was a Senior Patrol Leader in our Troop, he earned a gold cross at Wolfeboro for the Troop and has been an excellent mentor for many years for many younger Scouts. Tom transferred into our Troop from another Troop and was immediately welcomed and cherished for having such charisma with leading the Scouts his age and mentoring the Scouts younger than him. Everybody in the Troop, adult leaders included, looked up to Tom - literally we had to as he's a very tall young man, but we enjoyed his ability to bring the boys together and help them when they needed it. We will miss Tom in our Troop as he heads off to college and we wish him great successes in all of his future endeavors. Once an Eagle Scout, always an Eagle Scout! With Tom it was twice that as he was a Double Eagle."