Westborough – Ethan Peterson of Westborough's Boy Scout Troop 382 has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest award attained by members of the Boy Scouts of America; only five percent of boys who join Scouting achieve Eagle.
For the honor, a Scout must garner 21 merit badges, 12 required and nine others that Scouts may pick from over the 100 badges available. The Scout also must hold a position of responsibility within the troop and complete an Eagle Scout Service Project that benefits a church, school, or community.
Peterson held several troop leadership positions climbing through 382's ranks. His Troop Scoutmasters were Mike Cole, Frank Whalen, Mark O”Connell, Frank Yeung, and Assistant Scoutmaster Bob Milne.
Camping in all seasons, Ethan attended many trips, including dogsledding in Northern Vermont, hiking the White Mountains, whitewater rafting on the Deerfield River, and biking the 22-mile rail trail on Cape Cod.
In the summer of 2010, he joined Troop 382's excursion to the Boy Scouts” Florida National High Adventure Seabase Camp, where he and his fellow scouts spent a week sailing a gaff-rigged 85 schooner off the Florida Keys
For his Eagle project, Peterson, working with Westborough's Recreation Department and Department of Public Works, made capital improvements to Hyder Park, a town park located in his neighborhood. He raised over $1,000 from generous neighbors and used these funds for materials to build two picnic tables and rebuild the park's bench. He also acquired new seats and chains for the swing set and, with his volunteers, added nine yards of mulch to the area. Work was also done to brighten up the park's entrance with some paint, new posts, chain, and perennials.
A senior at Westborough High School (WHS), Peterson is a member of the National Honor Society and the French National Honor Society. He was the 2013 recipient of the Assumption College Book Award, presented to a junior by the Guidance Department for academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to community service. Also at WHS, Peterson is in the anatomy club, played on the champion WHS Varsity Soccer team, and was recognized as a Mid-Wachusett B and MIAA all-star for the fall 2013 season. He is also an active participant in the Westborough Congregational Church's Senior High Youth Group and has done three mission work camp trips with the group.
Ethan is the son of Dana Peterson and Dr. Maria Schoen, grandson of Catharina Verhey van Wyk Schoen, and brother of Ben Peterson who is also a Troop 382 Eagle Scout, earning the rank in 2009.
