Sterling Meetinghouse News

By Danielle Ray, Senior Reporter
Boy Scout Luke Boardman, age 17, recently completed his Eagle Scout project, constructing four picnic tables with checkerboards engraved and painted on the top which were donated to the town beach.
Luke, a nearly lifelong town resident, recently graduated from Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School in Fitchburg as a member of the Class of 2021.
“My trade is cabinetmaking, so I decided to pick a project that could utilize my woodworking skills,” he said. “I came up with the idea to make picnic tables with checkerboards and spoke to Kristen (Dietel), the director of the recreation department at the time. She thought it would be a great idea for the town lake.”
Luke started working on the project in October last year and finished in November. He said the biggest challenge he faced was pandemic related.
“We had a lot of delays due to COVID and could only do small groups outside, so working on it depended on the weather,” he said. “We needed to follow COVID restrictions which meant working in smaller groups and we needed to meet more often and remain socially distanced with masks. Communicating with all of my fellow scouts to get together was also a challenge.”
Luke put together a sample table to figure out the design and construction, and then with help from his fellow Troop 189 members and others, crafted three additional tables. He also created checkers out of birchwood and plans to attach them to the end of the tables in bags.
“An Eagle scout project is about leading a group to complete a project,” Luke said. “My troop, family, and friends were all there to help. Each person that helped added to the completion of the project; sometimes it was just to come for an hour and help paint and some came to each work session. I appreciated all the help that each person gave, and I was able to teach my fellow scouts some of my woodworking skills that I have learned over the years in my cabinet making trade at Monty Tech. I enjoyed using my woodworking skills and leading my fellow scouts through this project.”
Luke started as a Cub Scout in first grade and then moved up to Boy Scouts in fifth grade where he has been since.
“The thing I enjoyed the most about Boy Scouts was the camping trips with all of my friends,” he said. “We try to camp monthly throughout the year, even in the winter. I also enjoy going to Boy Scout summer camp with my troop.”
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process. The Eagle Scout rank has been earned by over 2.5 million youth.
After he completed his project last fall, Luke filled out and submitted the Eagle Scout application, which was then approved by the council.
“My troop will be having an Eagle Scout ceremony celebration this summer to recognize all the scouts in my troop that earned the rank of Eagle Scout recently,” he said. “We do not have a date yet, but I am looking forward to celebrating this achievement together.”
As a member of Boy Scouts for 12 years, Luke said his ultimate goal has always been to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
“I was excited when the project was approved and I met this goal,” he said. “I am officially an Eagle Scout!”
His parents John and Nickole Boardman are full of pride for their son and his accomplishment.
“We are proud of Luke for completing the long journey to Eagle Scout and happy for the many life skills that Boy Scouts has taught him,” they said.
Luke turns 18 this summer, and as such will age out of Boy Scouts. He is headed off to University of New England in Biddeford, Maine in the fall but said he would like to help with the troop as an adult leader in the future.
“I would like to thank my troop for many years of scouting memories and their help on this project,” Luke said. “I would also like to thank my Scoutmaster and the troop committee for their support throughout the process, and thanks to the recreation department for allowing this project. Mostly, I would like to thank parents, friends, and family for their help, love and support through all my years as a Boy Scout. I am looking forward to seeing the tables in use at the lake.”