Eagle Scout keeps family tradition alive

Scouting has been a time-honored tradition in the Green family. Last month, 16-year-old Shawn Green, of Valley Stream, became the ninth member of his family to become an Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Boy Scouts.

Green was officially awarded the Eagle rank at a Court of Honor ceremony on Sept. 24 at St. Helen’s School in Howard Beach, Queens. He earned it along with fellow Troop 109 Boy Scout Jesse Goirn, 18, of Flushing.

Although he wasn’t very active in Cub Scouts as a boy, attending only a few meetings and campouts, Green said he got more involved when he was 11 years old and eligible to join the Boy Scouts. He wanted to the follow in the footsteps of his father, brother, two uncles and four cousins who have all become Eagle Scouts.

Green said in watching his brother become an Eagle Scout, he became inspired to do the same and knew what to expect from the process. “I really enjoyed watching him do it,” he said.

He had to earn at least 21 merit badges to become an Eagle Scout. His favorite was the life-saving badge because it gave him the opportunity to become a certified lifeguard. Next summer, he hopes to put that training to use at the North Woodmere community pool, just a few blocks from his house. Additionally, Green said earning that badge took the most work so he is proud of that accomplishment.

Also, before becoming an Eagle Scout, Green had to complete a community service project. He and fellow Boy Scouts helped clean up the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge by removing an invasive plant, European Buckthorn. It was killing other plants, he said, and the berries it produced were bad for the birds.

On five separate occasions last December, Green and a group of about 20 scouts went to the refuge to remove the plant. He had to develop an action plan, and seek out and manage his helpers. Green said the process taught him leadership skills.

“I think it went well,” he said of the project. “You could actually see a difference. It looks much nicer. I still like to go there once in a while just to see how it is.” Green added that the park rangers also complimented him on his work.

Green said the best part of being a scout has been all the memories he has made over the past five years. He also enjoyed learning new skills such as first aid and cooking.

Even though he is now an Eagle Scout, Green said his scouting days are far from over. He still plans to be involved in Troop 139 and will soon be going on a group field trip to Washington, D.C. to see the historical monuments. Green and his fellow scouts also went a few years ago and he said he really enjoyed viewing the various memorials.

Green will also continue to go on camping trips, and try to inspire other Boy Scouts hoping to earn their Eagle rank. He wants to set an example of how an Eagle Scout is supposed to act. “I have to serve as a role model for them,” he said. “People look up to you. It’s not just being an Eagle Scout but you have to show that you’re an Eagle Scout.”

More than 100 people turned out to his Eagle Scout ceremony, which Green said also served to inspire the younger scouts, as the saw how people truly value the accomplishment.

He chose the Howard Beach troop over a local unit in Valley Stream or the Five Towns because of his family’s history there. His grandfather, Philip Green, who emigrated to the United States from Cuba, was a scoutmaster with Troop 139 back in 1971. He led his three sons including Shawn’s father, Sol.

“Being an Eagle Scout is a lifelong endeavor,” said Sol Green. “You don’t just make rank and quit — the skills and values you learn stay with you for life.” 

Shawn Green, a Lawrence High School junior, does more than just Boy Scouts. At school is a member of Mathletes, the Hebrew Culture Club and chess club, runs track and has played for the varsity tennis team since seventh grade. Green also plays the violin in the orchestra.

But scouts has been one of the biggest and most important parts of his life. “A lot of people don’t do the Boy Scouts but I thought it was fun,” he said. “I think every kid should be able to experience it.”