Westborough – Westborough Boy Scout Troop 100 has awarded the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout to Brian Coutinho. The Eagle Court of Honor ceremony was held at St. Luke's Church in Westborough. The rank of Eagle, Scouting's highest rank, is recognized throughout the world as an especially significant achievement.
Brian is a young man of fixed and proven determination. While striving for his Eagle,he was challenged with a severe case of Lyme disease consisting of two different debilitating strains that caused symptoms of pain and exhaustion. Despite these challenges, he pressed on to attain scouting's highest rank.
Brian, a senior at Victor School in Acton, was presented his Eagle badge at a court of honor held on his behalf at his family's parish, St. Luke's Catholic Church in Westborough.
A skilled enthusiast for outdoor activities including hiking and camping, Brian chose for his Eagle Service Project to work on a task that involved removing invasive plants while extending and clearing a hiking trail near Indian Pond. This area is located off Maynard Street in Westborough and owned by the Westborough Community Land Trust.
A total of 21 merit badges is required for Eagle Scouts, including First Aid, Citizenship in the Community, in the Nation, and in the World, Communications, Personal Fitness, Emergency Preparedness, Swimming or Lifesaving, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Camping and Family Life; Brian earned all 13 of these and 21 more.
Active in scouting since he joined as a Tiger Scout in first grade, heeagerly joined his older brother, Patrick Coutinho, in Cub Scouts, and later joined him in Boy Scout Troop 100. The Coutinho family has long supported their children's involvement in scouting. His mother was a temporary den leader for Brian's Cub Scout den. His dad, Robert Coutinho, is a disabled former military officer; unable to camp himself, he was glad for the opportunities Boy Scouts has given his sons. The boys were also able to get scholarships to Camp Resolute, and Brian went there for two weeks every summer since becoming a Scout.
The family believes Scouting gave the boys a chance to see and experience good leadership opportunities. Brian has taken part in many different activities and trips during his rise to the rank of Eagle. A key trip for him was to the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, where he and other troop members hiked and camped, covering over 100 miles of diverse terrain in 10 days, with varying weather conditions and altitudes. The Scouts also earned the Duty to God patch while at Philmont.
Being outdoors and spending so much time close to nature, has helped Brian develop a greater appreciation for God and all of creation. Brian is presently evaluating various colleges where he can further his studies in his favorite subjects, mathematics, philosophy and theology.
