Bradley J. McIntire, a member of Boy Scout Troop 243 in Gilford, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting, in a ceremony at the Gilford Community Church on April 2. Bradley is a senior at Gilford High School where he has been president of his class for four years, captain of the tennis team and captain of the Belmont-Gilford hockey team.
Bradley has been a member of Troop 243 for seven years and, to achieve the rank of Eagle, had to advance in rank, serve in a number of leadership roles in the troop and earn 21 merit badges in areas like first aid, emergency preparedness, wilderness survival, citizenship, etc. He also had to demonstrate leadership by planning, developing and completing a community service project. Bradley’s Eagle Scout project involved making long needed improvements to the Town of Gilford’s Arthur Tilton Skating Rink and included replacing and painting the bleacher seats; building cubby shelves where skaters can store their boots and other personal items; and significantly improving the walkway so that skaters can now safely walk from the bleachers to the rink. At the Eagle Scout award ceremony, Bradley stated that “scouting has been a big part of my life and has taught me how to be a leader and a good citizen.”
Bradley’s parents, Jim and Martha McIntire said that “we are very proud of Bradley’s accomplishment in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. It has been wonderful watching him grow and develop into a leader in both scouts and school.”
Courtney Kelly, the Scoutmaster of Troop 243, stated that “Bradley is an outstanding scout and a great young man. He has always been a real asset to the troop and, as he became one of the older scouts, he was a great leader and mentor for the younger scouts. Bradley will continue to serve as a leader after achieving the rank of Eagle Scout and graduating from high school by attending the United States Military Academy Preparatory School in preparation to enter West Point next year in the class of 2027 after which, he will serve our country as an officer in the U.S. Army.”
Only about five percent of all Boy Scouts earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Troop 243 meets every Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. at the Gilford Community Church. Anyone who is interested in scouting is welcome to come to a meeting.