Batavia Scout Awarded Highest Honor

Batavia Holy Cross Scout Troop 21 recently held an Eagle Court of Honor where Scout Nick Bowgren was recognized with Scouting's highest honor—Eagle Scout. In honor of the Eagle Scout achievement, Troop 21 presented the Scout with an American flag that flew over the Capitol in Washington D.C. and a proclamation from Batavia Mayor Schielke.

Nick is currently a Sophomore at Batavia High School and is the son of Mike and Jackie Bowgren. He has been in scouting for 9 years, beginning his scouting career in Cub Scout Pack 153 in Batavia, and crossing over to Holy Cross Boy Scout Troop 21. He has earned 33 Merit Badges, has been awarded 2 palms and in the summer of 2012 was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. He has held leadership positions of Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe and Assistant Quarter Master.

Bowgren's Eagle project was to build bat-houses for the Batavia Riverwalk and surrounding areas of Batavia to help foster the bat population. Due to increasing suburban development, bats have needed alternative homes and this project will help them flourish. With the assistance of 10 scouts, the houses were ready to be placed in the trees above the Batavia Riverwalk.

His most memorable scout event with Scout Troop 21 was his first high adventure trip during the summer of 2011 to Boundary Waters in Canada. He carried a canoe by himself over several miles of portages and caught the biggest pike he'd ever seen. He is currently training for his next high adventure trip this summer to Philmont Scout Ranch to backpack in the mountains of New Mexico.

In addition to Scouting, Nick enjoys robotics, tinkering with small engines, playing videogames, four-wheeling and camping. He hopes to attend college to study Engineering.

Troop 21 is a chartered Boy Scout Troop of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Batavia under the direction of Scoutmaster, Bill Mahler. For information regarding Troop 21 membership and its activities, please visit www.bataviatroop21.org. ###