Portsmouth Boy Scout Troop 82 Bestows Highest Rank to PHS Student

In an Eagle Court of Honor held December 30, 2016 at St. Columba's Church in Middletown, Boy Scout's highest rank achievement was awarded to Ruairi Alan Ouellette MacMillan. Ruairi, the son of Jeanne Ouellette and Alan MacMillan of Portsmouth, is Boy Scout Troop 82's 142nd Eagle Scout. The ceremony was conducted by Justin Mostert, Troop 82 Scoutmaster Emeritus, with an Invocation and Closing Prayer by Rev. Eric Larsen of St. Columba's Church. Ruairi is the third member of his family to earn scouting's highest rank, following his sister Madeleine, a Girl Scout Gold Star recipient, and his brother Ian, Troop 82's 123rd Eagle Scout.

St. Columba's Church was the beneficiary of Ruairi's ambitious Eagle Scout Project, the installation of a playground for its youngest members. From inception to excavation to safety ground covering, Ruairi planned and led numerous volunteers in the playground's creation. Ruairi has been active in scouting for 11 years, starting out as a Tiger Cub. Portsmouth Boy Scout Troop 82, sponsored by St. Mary's Episcopal Church, has been strengthened by Ruairi's involvement as Scribe, Patrol Leader, Troop Instructor and presenter last year at Troop 82's Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST). A National Youth Leadership Training (White Stag) graduate, Ruairi is also a member of Boy Scout's National Honor Society, Order of the Arrow.

In addition to scouting, it comes as no surprise that Ruairi is just as active at Portsmouth High School. Currently a junior, he is involved with Model UN, Project Close-Up as well as a member of the PHS Swim and Baseball Teams. Congratulations to Troop 82's recently dubbed Eagle Scout, Ruairi MacMillan. Well done.

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