Community Corner

East Brunswick Teen Achieves Eagle Scout Rank

Andrew Gavin earns prestigious honor for East Brunswick Troop 223.

Andrew James Gavin, 18, of East Brunswick recently garnered the prestigious Eagle Scout Award.  

Gavin is the 62nd individual from Boy Scouts of America Troop 223 in East Brunswick to earn the rank in the Troop’s nearly 50 year history.

Gavin was recognized in a ceremony on Jan. 12 at the Troop’s chartering organization’s home on Cranbury Rd -VFW Post 133. After years of work, Gavin is one of approximately four percent of Boy Scouts nationally who attain the Eagle rank, according to Scoutmaster Jim Berzok.

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Throughout his scouting career, Andrew has proven to be both a good follower and a good leader by taking charge when required or needed. Commended by scout leaders for his organizational and communication skills, he was able to use the qualities learned from scouting to run camping events for his troop at Barnegat, Hardwick, Allaire, the Kittatinny Mountains, and to assist in planning a recent Scout trip to Boston. 

Being a Boy Scout has always been important to him, according to his mother Rachel, even when other commitments didn’t allow for his complete participation.  During the ceremony, he acknowledged Scout masters Anthony Buccigrossi and Jim Berzok for keeping him engaged and enlightened throughout his scouting career. 

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Each Eagle candidate must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges and successfully complete a community, church, or synagogue-related service project to earn his Eagle rank.  

Gavin chose to build a play area for dogs and a large storage bench for use within a registered stray animal shelter on Old Stage Road.  He drew up the designs and directed more than two dozen scouts and volunteers in the construction effort.

Andrew joins other outstanding American citizens who have become Eagle Scouts, among them former President Gerald R. Ford, Jr., astronaut Neil A. Armstrong, cinematographer Steven Spielberg, former head of the F.B.I., William Sessions, and five of his uncles who, a generation prior, were among Troop 223 Eagle recipients.

He is an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle parish in Old Bridge where he served as a religious education teacher for 2nd graders, altar server, youth group leader, and choir member. At East Brunswick High School, he was an instrumental member of the concert choir, drama club and orchestra. 

Andrew is the second child of proud parents Rachel and Joseph Gavin of East Brunswick, and brother to Charlotte Mary, Rebecca and Luke. He is currently enrolled at Rowan University.

--East Brunswick Troop 223


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