Aiden Pettengill of Troop 479 earned the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, during a ceremony March 17 at China Masonic Hall.

Pettengill, his family, his Scout leaders, and other members of the community were recognized during the presentation.

Aiden Pettengill

Assistant Scoutmaster Matt Bodine served as moderator and opened the ceremony.

The call to order to open the Eagle Court of Honor was by Chuck Mahaleris, Kennebec District Chairperson.

Pettengill chose the Eagle Scout Spirit Ceremony.

Pettengill’s Eagle Project was to design and build a reading outdoor station at the new South China Library.

His final design included clearing a space under a large tree, having two benches built, setting up two large flower beds surrounded by two layers of round rocks. He had many donated flowers and bulbs to plant. Scouts and leaders volunteered to work under his leadership. The outdoor reading station will be available this summer when the library opens.

Scoutmaster Scott Adams presented the Eagle Scout Awards. Adams talked about Pettengill’s years within the Troop. He gave credit to Pettengill for helping him to become more organized as Pettengill always had his paperwork done and early.

Sentiments were presented to Pettengill by Daniel L’Heureux, China’s town manager, and Mahaleris. Letters of sentiment were received from Past President George W. Bush and his father and members of U.S. Congress, and many others. Zachary Fowler from Maine, who appeared on the history channel survival show and lasted 87 days and won $500K, sent a homemade sling shot for Pettengill with congratulations for earning his Eagle.

Pettengill is the son of Lee and Danielle Pettengill, of South China, and is a freshman at Erskine Academy in South China.