Troop 7044, special guests and the Mullica Hill community honored new Eagle Scouts William Damiri and Joseph Tortella at a special Court of Honor on Saturday, March 11 at 3:00 p.m. at the Trinity Methodist Church in Mullica Hill. The Eagle Scout rank is Scouting’s highest honor and represents the culmination of a program which combines leadership training, skills development, adventure, service and citizenship. Both scouts completed their Eagle Scout Boards of Review on Dec. 22, 2022.
Willam Damiri is currently a senior at Clearview Regional High School in Mullica Hill. In addition to scouting, he has participated in multiple sports during his high school career, including cross country, track and swim. He is currently undecided for where he wants to attend college next fall but hopes to major in something related to geography.
Joseph Tortella is currently a junior attending Saint Augustine Preparatory School in Richland. He was recently inducted into the National Honor Society. He is also a member of the National Latin Honor Society and serves on the Executive Committee of Hermit Ambassadors. He also serves on Hermits Helping the Homeless Club. Joseph has been on the swim team for the past three years and was on the team that won the 2023 State Championship. Joseph has rowed for three years and has aspirations to row at the collegiate level after high school.
Special guests in attendance included:
- Rep. Jeff Van Drew, NJ 2nd District
- Dave Salow, Crossroads District Chairman, Scouts BSA (also represented the Free and Accepted Masons of NJ)
- Joan Pianka/Russ Pine, Marine Corp League
- Deenaz Baig, President, Mullica Hill Rotary Club (Chartering organization of Troop 44)
- Heather Simmons, Deputy Director of the Gloucester County Board of Commissioners
- Jim Jefferson, Gloucester County Commissioner
- Jeff Jacques, Harrison Twp. Committee member
- David Tinney, representing the American Legion and US Coast Guard
Only four percent of all Boy Scouts attain the rank of Eagle. Each must earn at least 21 merit badges including 13 required merit badges. These required merit badges include skills in Swimming, Lifesaving, Cooking, Camping, Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Environmental Science and Citizenship. The most difficult and rewarding component of earning the Eagle Scout rank is developing a service project, coordinating a plan to execute the project, and leading a group of volunteers to complete the project.
Troop 7044 is based in Mullica Hill and is chartered by the Mullica Hill Rotary Club. The troop currently meets on Thursday nights at Trinity United Methodist Church. The troop prides itself on providing a program rich with teaching lifelong skills along with being active in the outdoors. Troop 7044 is one of the larger troops in the Garden State Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
