Mitchell Claflin Porter, 19, was formally recognized as an Eagle Scout by Shrewsbury Boy Scout Troop 114 during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony on December 29, 2013 at the First Congregational Church of Shrewsbury. Mitchell is the 111th scout in Troop 114's 98-year history to achieve Eagle, Scouting's highest rank.
To become an Eagle Scout, a Life Scout must have earned 21 merit badges throughout his scouting career, served actively in a position of responsibility within the troop, and have planned, developed and given leadership to an Eagle Scout Service Project that benefits a religious institution, a school or the community.
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Joining in 2001, Mitchell's scouting career began in Alpharetta, Georgia with Cub Scout Pack 3143. He moved to Shrewsbury and joined Pack 114 chartered by the First Congregational Church. A member of Boy Scout Troop 114 since 2006, Mitchell held the positions of Bugler, Quartermaster and Patrol Leader and earned 27 merit badges. In 2010 he attended the National Scout Jamboree held in Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.
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Mitchell has always loved trees and understands their role in battling environmental concerns. Motivated by the Asian Longhorn Beetle infestation in Central Massachusetts, his Eagle Scout Service Project involved the planting of ten 200-pound trees in Mountain View Cemetery, Shrewsbury Town Common and at the Town Center Fire Station, and included a plan to water the trees throughout their first growing season. He worked with the Town of Shrewsbury Department of Parks, Recreation and Cemetery as well as the Earth Stewardship Committee of First Congregational Church. The trees were paid for by a grant from Mass ReLeaf, a joint project of the Department of Recreation and Conservation and the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ. The project required 37 volunteers and 247 service hours over a period of 6 months from May through October of 2012.
A 2013 graduate of Shrewsbury High School, Mitchell placed on the Honor Roll all semesters. He is currently a freshman at Roger Williams University, majoring in Environmental Science and placed on the Dean's List in his first semester. Assisting faculty on a research project on endangered species, he also participates in the Environmental Sustainability Living Learning Community, Outdoor Outings Club, Alternative Entertainment Club and the Community Service Volunteer group. Mitchell is the son of Tom and Helen Porter of Shrewsbury.
