LAMORINDA WEEKLY | Two new Troop 243 Eagle Scouts honored


Cameron Shapoorian and Nelson Rogers Photo David Cowen

Boy Scout Troop 243 of Lafayette honored two new Eagle Scouts at a Court of Honor on May 11 at Lafayette Christian Church. Cameron Shapoorian and Nelson Rogers earned the Eagle Scout Rank, the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout program. Requirements include earning a minimum of 21 merit badges and demonstrating Scout spirit, service, and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout.

Shapoorian is a senior at Acalanes High School. Since joining Troop 243, he has held numerous leadership positions, including senior patrol leader. His two years of National Youth Leadership Training prepared him well. Shapoorian's Eagle Project involved refurbishing a 21-foot tall Acalanes High School sign which had been donated to the school by the Classes of 1961 and 1962 but which had fallen into disrepair and been abandoned. The work involved heavy machinery and much sanding and repainting, but six months later, it was ready to be reinstalled. In the fall, Cameron will attend Diablo Valley College in hopes of transferring to a four-year school to pursue a master's degree in software engineering.

Rogers is a sophomore at Acalanes High School. His Scouting experience began in first grade as a Tiger Scout in Lafayette Pack 220. In Troop 243, he served as patrol leader, instructor, guide, and senior patrol leader. Rogers' Eagle Project consisted of assembling a jazz ensemble, creating and practicing a repertoire of songs, and then performing at retirement communities locally and throughout California. With the support of the Generations in Jazz Foundation, Nelson Rogers & the Jazz Eagles shared their music with a very special - and appreciative - part of the community. Boy Scouts has imbued Rogers with leadership skills that he routinely puts to use as a swim coach during the summer and as a curling coach all year long.

Since its formation in 1955, 205 Scouts from Troop 243 have been awarded the Eagle Scout Rank.