Six for six: From Cub to Eagle Scouts

PHOTO/SUBMITTED Den 1 Cub Scouts in 1997: (l to r) Tim Deschamps Jr., Dan Herard, Matt Rossetti, den mother Ann Deschamps, Chris Weigl, Andrew Golibersuch and Chris Fiore

Southborough - In 1997, six young boys did what young boys often do: they joined Cub Scouts.

The boys - Tim Deschamps Jr., Chris Fiore, Andrew Golibersuch, Dan Herard, Matt Rossetti and Chris Weigl - found themselves members of the same unit, Den 1 of Southborough, with den mother Ann Deschamps.

Back then, the boys were just looking to have fun. But what started out as something ordinary for these youngsters turned into something quite extraordinary.

Over the last two years, all six boys have stepped forward at a Court of Honor to receive their Eagle Scout award.

With their former den mother proudly looking on, the journey of all six original members of Den 1 culminated in each receiving a designation only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts ever achieve. As the highest advancement rank in scouting, the Eagle Scout award represents dedication and perseverance in meeting requirements in leadership, community service and outdoor skills.

Eagle Scouts in 2007: (l to r) Tim Deschamps Jr., Dan Herard, Matt Rossetti, Ann Deschamps, Chris Weigl, Andrew Golibersuch and Chris Fiore

"They did it," said Ann Deschamps, the mother of Tim Deschamps Jr. "We started with six Cub Scouts and ended up with six Eagle Scouts."

There are no hard and fast statistics from the Boy Scouts of America regarding the number of Cub Scout dens all of whose members attain Eagle, but according to Renee Fairrer, associate director of marketing, Boy Scouts of America, it isn't many.

"Unfortunately, we do not collect demographic information; however, in nearly 10 years … I am aware of only one other group," she said. "Our strongest compliments go to the parents, the scouts and leadership of this unit."

As Fiore explained, it was the friendship among members of the group that made his years in scouting unforgettable.

"The number-one aspect of my scouting experience that I will always remember are the lifelong friendships I have made," Fiore said. "We've gone on so many trips and have so many stories. It is the friends that I have made and the friends I am still making that made scouting so much fun."

The annual week long-summer camp at Camp Resolute in Bolton provided both learning experiences and some down-time.

"Summer camp was my favorite camping experience," Golibersuch said. "Almost every night during our week there, we would sit around the giant camp fire. Our troop really bonds during summer camp … It really made you feel like you were part of something good."

During their busy high school years, each scout was responsible for completing his Eagle Scout project. But even with all the time constraints, every member of the group assisted with each of his friend's Eagle project.

Leadership skills are critical in attaining the Eagle designation. As Weigl explained, this is a significant life skill.

Herard also credited scouting with developing his leadership skills. At 16, Herard attended the National Scouting Jamboree in Virginia. As a senior patrol leader for 40 junior scouts from Troop 131 in the Knox Trail Council, Herard used leadership skills he acquired in several Troop Leadership Training classes.

"We learned the basics of leadership in the training sessions, and it was that foundation that helped when I was responsible for 40 scouts," Herard said.

There were times, though, when getting to Eagle seemed too daunting.

Rossetti considered dropping out at the Life rank. Juggling high school academics, football, lacrosse and track, his time was at a premium. Advice from a neighbor who attained Eagle years before provided the necessary motivation and focus to continue.

"One day my neighbor came over and told me about all the doors that being an Eagle Scout had opened for him," Rossetti said. "As he was leaving, he said, 'Do everything in your power to make it to Eagle. If you don't, you may regret it for the rest of your life.' Those were the words that I needed to hear and from then on, I was totally committed."

Troop 1 Scoutmaster Marc Cascio is particularly proud of these young men.

"We've now had 20 Eagles since I joined the troop in 1986," he said. "We've been fortunate to always have pretty good retention of our scouts …This, however, is the first time I've had an entire den cross over and then stick with the program until they all graduate.

"Watching them supporting and encouraging one another to achieve Eagle has been further testimony of just how special this group is, and what assets they have been to the troop."