Two members of West Hartford’s Boy Scout Troop 44 were honored with their Eagle Scout awards on June 14.

By Ronni Newton

Boy Scout Troop 44, which meets at the Universalist Church of West Hartford, has announced that two members have recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout and were honored at an awards night held on June 14, 2025.

The new Eagle Scouts are Hugo Wattel and Leo Kollen.

Leo Kollen explaining the next steps to the volunteering scouts. Courtesy photo

Nationally just 6% of Scouts BSA members complete the rigorous process, which includes completion of a project that demonstrates leadership and organizational skills and benefits a community organization, school, or religious institution.

Rich Bouvier, Troop Committee Chairperson for Troop 44, described the projects completed by their two new Eagle Scouts.

Hao Chen Zhang helping assemble the bench for Wolcott Elementary School. Courtesy photo

Wattel’s Eagle project “consisted of designing, raising funds, purchasing materials and leading a team of scouts, friends and adult volunteers in building a large hexagonal bench at the Town of West Hartford’s Wolcott Elementary School,” he said.

Hugo and his father, Scott Wattel, standing with the finished bench at Wolcott. Courtesy photo

Kollen’s Eagle project “consisted of designing, raising funds, purchasing materials and leading a team of scouts, friends and adult volunteers in building six custom wooden folding tables for the Universalist Church of West Hartford.”

Hao Chen Zhang and Halcyeon Andrist helping put clear coat on the finished tables for the Universalist Church of West Hartford. Courtesy photo

Anyone interested in joining Boy Scout Troop 44, can contact Scoutmaster Ben Safryn at [email protected].

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