A senior at West Hartford’s Hall High School recently earned the Boy Scout’s highest rank advancement. 

Nathan Goldschmidt with the constructed benches at Westmoor Park. Courtesy photo

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Nathaniel Goldschmidt, a senior at Hall High School in West Hartford, CT, earned the Boy Scouts of America’s highest advancement award, the Eagle Scout Award.  

Nathaniel was recognized at the Eagle Court of Honor ceremony on Oct. 27, 2024, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford. The ceremony audience included family, friends, state Rep. Derek Slap, and West Hartford Town Councilor Deb Polun.  The newly appointed Eagle Scout also received proclamations from Congressman John Larson, U.S. Representative for Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District, U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Murphy, and Gov. Ned Lamont.

Nathaniel Goldschmidt with his family. Courtesy photo

Nathaniel also received The American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year Scholarship presented by Post Commander Pat Harrell.

According to the Boy Scout of America CT Rivers Council, Nathaniel, a member of Troop 163, is among approximately 5% of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank. To earn the rank of Eagle, each candidate must earn 21 merit badges and successfully complete a community, church, or synagogue-related service project.  

At the time of his award, Nathaniel earned 35 merit badges. His Eagle Project involved successfully soliciting donations for materials and leading a team to construct two new park benches and restore a third bench to increase trail accessibility at Westmoor Park in West Hartford, CT. 

Achieving this award is possible because of the assistance of the Scoutmasters, Troop Leaders, fellow Scouts, parents, family, friends, and community members. 

Team of scouts and friends who constructed the benches. Courtesy photo

BSA Troop 163 & 1163, sponsored by Westminster Presbyterian Church in West Hartford, CT  is a leadership troop in The Connecticut Rivers Council, Charter Oak District. Troop 163 was founded in 1955. Since 1955, the Troop has produced 159 Eagle Scouts, with an average of 3.5 new Eagle Scouts each year from 2019 – 2024. Troop 163 & 1163 can be found on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/bsatroop163). For questions about the Troop and more information about joining, please visit https://beascout.scouting.org/.

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