Manchester Scout earns Eagle rank

PHOTO: Jeremy Pare attaches the Eagle badge to his son Mason’s Scout uniform after at Mason’s Eagle ceremony Aug. 4, as his mother, Melissa, looks on. (Submitted photo)

MANCHESTER — Mason Noah Pare received his Eagle Scout rank during a ceremony at the Augusta Country Club on Thursday, Aug. 4.
Secretary of State Shenna Bellows provided the keynote address to the 40 people who attended, praising Mason’s long-term commitment to helping others while enjoying the Scouting program. Mason, of Manchester, is a member of Troop 604, of Winthrop, and the son of Melissa and Jeremy Pare.

“We are living in incredibly challenging time,” Bellows said. “Sometimes it seems that friends and neighbors have difficulties coming together, especially across political differences. There is no ‘R’ or ‘D’ in ‘Scouting.’ In Scouting there is service; there is honor and there is courage. At the very earliest age, Scouts are taught not to think of themselves first but to think of others. To commit themselves to service.”
Bellows urged the Scouts in attendance to continue to do their good works for others. U.S. Sen. Susan Collins also sent a representative who read a letter of congratulations.
Mason, who is going into his sophomore year at Maranacook High School in Readfield, has earned 23 merit badges so far (21 are required for Eagle). He said the cooking badge was his favorite.
“It was interesting to learn how to cook meat all the way through,” Mason said. “My favorite thing to cook is steak. Just steak. I like that a lot.”
“Scouting has taught me a lot of good things and I have had a lot of fun doing it,” Mason said.
His Eagle Scout project was to replace four benches at the Manchester tennis courts, but his work helping others goes back to his Cub Scout days, when he took part in a service project to provide pillows to homeless people.
“I was challenged as a Scout,” Mason said. “It was not easy to reach the Eagle rank. I am glad I made it this far. Scouting has taught me how to be a good person while learning good life skills and how to be a better leader.”
Mason’s fellow Scouts in Troop 604, many of whom have taken part in camping trips, hikes and service projects with Mason, took part in his Eagle Scout ceremony.