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Editor’s Note: At the beginning of their meeting this week (Tuesday, Feb. 15), the Board of Selectmen honored four new Eagle Scouts from Saugus Boy Scout Troop 61: Dominic J. Imbrogna, Michael S. Kallelis, Colin M. Wildman and David W. Woodworth. Troop 61 Scoutmaster Kevin M. Wildman, who had earned the Eagle Scout badge in the same troop – which he has served as an adult leader of for more than a quarter of a century – presented each of the Eagles a citation signed by the five selectmen. The selectmen stood in a reception line to congratulate the Eagle Scouts and then joined them in a ceremonial photo shoot.
For this week’s interview, we decided to reach out to the new Eagles and ask them how earning Scouting’s highest honor has influenced their lives. We also talked to Scoutmaster Wildman, whose son Colin is among those Eagle Scouts being honored. Highlights of this week’s interview follow:
Saugus Troop 61 Scoutmaster Kevin M. Wildman
Q: How many scouts have earned the Eagle Scout badge during your time as Scoutmaster of Troop 61?
A: There have been eight Eagle Scouts since I took over as Scoutmaster in the Fall of 2014. Three of them did most of the work prior to me taking over though. I got the pleasure of awarding them the award and hosting the Court of Honor.
Q: When did you earn your Eagle Scout badge?
A: I earned my Eagle Award in 1989.
Q: How many Eagles, total, in the history of the troop since its inception in 1928?
A: Troop 61 has 60 Eagles at the moment plus the four guys now receiving the award.
Q: Isn’t it unusual in Saugus Scouting circles to honor four Eagles at one time?
A: It is unusual to have more than two guys at once, I would say. These guys all waited to have one Court of Honor together. They are actually spread out over a year earning the award.
When I was just joining the troop in 1983, there was a Court of Honor for seven guys. That impressed me and I always wanted something like that someday. That was my spark – my seed.
It was also my hope from the moment that I became the father of my son that he would follow in my footsteps and become an Eagle Scout. It was an incredible journey together through our years and was the greatest bonding experience a father and son could ever ask for.
Q: Any comment that you would like to make about these four young men?
These four guys I have had all through the Boy Scout program, and David and Colin started together in Cub Scouts with me. These four young men earning the Eagle Scout award is the reward for all my years of hard work and dedication to the program.
Leaders did it for me when I was a Scouting youth, and I am proud to have had the chance to give back to the program. The Scouting program helped shape my life for the better. I am glad I can help shape the lives of more Scouts for their future.
These guys have grown and matured tremendously in the last couple of years. They have really bonded, grown close and formed into the brotherhood that the Scouting program is. Their hard work in completing the requirements for the award has prepared them for a better future. All of the skills that they learned along their journey will help them at school and in their careers as well-rounded leaders that understand teamwork.
Q: When will the official Court of Honor be held to recognize the young men as Eagle Scouts?
A: We’re planning for June 11 at Camp Denison in Georgetown.
Dominic J. Imbrogna
Q: Tell me about your family background.
A: I am 17 years old, a lifelong resident of Saugus with my mother, Kathy, my father, Joseph, and my brother, Kason.
Q: What about your school or college grade, when and where you graduated, scholastic honors and athletic honors?
A: I am a senior at Northeast Metro Tech High School in Wakefield and have been learning the trade of plumbing, which I plan on pursuing after I graduate high school.
Q: What about your Scouting honors … awards and total number of merit badges and years in Scouting?
A: I have been involved in Scouting since I was in third grade as a Bear Cub Scout and have continued with it my whole life now, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
I attended the 2017 National Jamboree at the Summit Bethel Reserve in West Virginia. It was an awesome opportunity, and I met so many people from all over the country, went white water rafting and did so much more, and I was only 13 years old at the time. I am also a member of the OA and also have earned 26 merit badges.
Q: Tell me about your Eagle Scout service project.
A: I Did my service project at the Riverside Cemetery in Saugus. My project was to clean up the veteran markers. A lot of them were buried or overgrown. Over the course of two days – October 31st and November 1st, my team and I had cleaned up roughly 300 stones.
Q: What’s your career objective?
A: I plan on going into the plumbing trade.
Q: How has Scouting helped you to become better citizens and prepared you for adulthood and your career pursuits?
A: Scouting has had a huge part in shaping me into the person I am today, and those skills and things I’ve learned will carry on with me in my everyday life.
Q: Has anyone else in your family made Eagle?
A: My Uncle Jimmy Imbrogna is an Eagle Scout from Woburn along with my two cousins Joey and Mikey Conway from Weymouth.
Q: And finally, what does earning the rank of Eagle Scout mean to you?
A: The Eagle badge is the highest badge a Boy Scout can earn and is not easy to get. It’s a huge achievement for me, and it means a lot to me as I’ve done something not many are able to do and am proud to represent the badge as I also represent the helpfulness and skills learned behind the badge. Not only am I proud to earn just the Eagle badge but to earn it along with my longtime fellow Scouts and friends.
Michael S. Kallelis Jr.
Q: Tell me about your family background.
A: I’m 16 years old and I’m a lifelong Lynn resident. My parents are Melissa Segal and Michael Kallelis Sr. My younger brother is Wesley Turner and my older sister is Madyson Kallelis.
Q: What about your school or college grade, when and where you graduated, scholastic honors and athletic honors?
A: I currently go to St. Mary’s High School in Lynn and I’m currently a sophomore there. I will graduate there in 2024. I take part in three sports for each season. I play football as a left and right tackle defensively and offensively, I swim freestyle, usually a 100 yard free and 50 yard free, then I row and have been in the first race the city of Lynn ever competed in for rowing.
Q: What about your Scouting honors … awards and total number of merit badges and years in Scouting?
A: I’ve been in Scouts since I joined in the year of 2010 and have been in the Scouting program since then. As of recently, I earned my Eagle Scout last October. I’ve also earned 23 merit badges. I’ve been in the program for 11 years and I’m currently part of Troop 61. I’ve earned my Mile Swim Award and Lifesaving badge. I’m also in the Order of the Arrow.
Q: Tell me about your Eagle Scout service project.
A: My Eagle project was a renovation of an eroded beach walkway at Philips Beach in Swampscott. I replaced broken or eroded tree decking from the path. I also repaired the volleyball court next to the walkway.
Q: What’s your career objective?
A: Currently I’m working on getting my license, but for now I’m a lifeguard, and I want to join the military and become a doctor when I graduate from high school.
Q: How has Scouting helped you to become better citizens and prepared you for adulthood and your career pursuits?
A: Scouting, believe it or not, helped me a lot. I believe that it gave me the important life skills to know in case of emergencies, but also it showed me fun things I can do like arts and crafts, whittling and other fun games or sports.
Q: Has anyone else in your family made Eagle?
A: Both my stepfather Evan Segal and Uncle Mike Lawless both made Eagle Scout out of Troop 121 that used to be in Lynn.
Q: And finally, what does earning the rank of Eagle Scout mean to you?
A: To me Scouting means to be a role model and set an example for others. As a Scout we are taught to take the leadership role when needed and how to handle emergency or tough situations. Being an Eagle Scout and prior, I always believed Scouting meant to help other people when they needed it.
Colin M. Wildman
Q: Tell me about your family background.
A: I am 19 years old and the son of Kevin and Colleen Wildman and the younger brother of Megan.
Q: What about your school or college grade, when and where you graduated, scholastic honors and athletic honors?
A: I’m a recent Honors Graduate of Saugus High School (Class of 2021). I am currently attending the University of Massachusetts Lowell, studying Mechanical Engineering.
Q: What about your Scouting honors … awards and total number of merit badges and years in Scouting?
A: I have been involved with Scouting for over 10 years. My father is the Scoutmaster of Troop 61. My mother and sister were involved in Girl Scouts. During my time in Scouting, I attended the National Jamboree in West Virginia, various summer camps and went on countless camping trips with the Troop. During that time, I earned the 21 required Merit Badges needed for Eagle Scout and 11 additional badges. I also held the position of Senior Patrol Leader, assisting the Troop.
Q: Tell me about your Eagle Scout service project.
A: My Eagle Scout project involved the building and placement of two osprey nesting platforms in East Saugus. By constructing these platforms, it allows the ospreys to return to this area and have a safe space to raise their young.
Q: What’s your career objective?
A: After graduation…plans include working in the engineering field developing and designing technology.
Q: How has Scouting helped you to become better citizens and prepared you for adulthood and your career pursuits?
A: The Scouting program has helped me to be the person I am today. It has shown me how to problem solve, develop leadership skills, use my resources, be independent and help others. These are all life skills that will carry me through where they can be applied to my personal and professional life.
Q: Has anyone else in your family made Eagle?
A: My father, along with being Scoutmaster of Saugus Troop 61, also earned his Eagle badge in the same troop.
Q: And finally, what does earning the rank of Eagle Scout mean to you?
A: Earning the rank of Eagle Scout has meant a lot to me as it represents who I am and tells a great story. The badge holds many values that are important to me, and I am grateful for the adventure that it has taken me on.
David W. Woodworth
Q: Tell me about your family background.
A: I am 19 and my parents are Sandra and Glen Woodworth of Saugus,
Q: What about your school or college grade, when and where you graduated, scholastic honors and athletic honors?
A: I was in the carpentry shop at Northeast Regional Vocational High School in Wakefield. I graduated last year.
Q: What about your Scouting honors … awards and total number of merit badges and years in Scouting?
A: I have been involved in Scouting since the third grade when I started as a Cub Scout. I’ve been a member of Troop 61 since about April of 2014. Attending a National Jamboree and being part of a camp staff at T.L. Storer campground in Barnstead, N.H. – those are two big accomplishments.
I was really out of my comfort zone when I went to the National Jamboree in West Virginia. I just never liked camping that much. And it was for two weeks, away from home, camping with a lot of people I didn’t know. The whole experience kind of made me stop disliking camping. And after it was all over, it was like, “Wow! It’s not that bad. And it’s kind of fun.”
And then after that my first year on camp staff gave me an experience I never had before. I enjoyed it so much, I did it again. I served Troop 61 as a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, a Troop Guide and a Senior Patrol Leader. I earned 27 merit badges. I was also an Ordeal Member of the Order of the Arrow.
Q: Tell me about your Eagle Scout service project.
A: Our troop has been going to Camp Denison in Georgetown for about four years. We’ve gone camping there so many times and have had fun doing it. I told the ranger I was looking for an Eagle Scout project. I didn’t know what I wanted to do for a project, but I knew I wanted to do it at that camp. And I decided to fix up the playground, and that’s how it got going. I led a work crew of 21 people who restored the playground at Camp Denison by rebuilding the sandbox and refurbishing the swing set
Q: What’s your career objective?
A: I wanted to be a carpenter. After graduating from high school, I went into the construction field with Mike Bonia, who is a troop leader and my mentor. Mike lives in Georgetown and helped me on my Eagle Scout project at Camp Denison.
Q: How has Scouting helped you to become better citizens and prepared you for adulthood and your career pursuits?
A: Probably my own personal development: I would not be the person I am today without Scouting. It’s helped me to get out of my shell and do things I never thought about doing. When I think back, I hated stuff like camping and doing activities. I was generally a shy person. I developed self-confidence and leadership skills that I didn’t have.
Q: Has anyone else in your family made Eagle?
A: I am the first member in my family.
Q: And finally, what does earning the rank of Eagle Scout mean to you?
A: I really don’t look at it as attaining the rank of Eagle as the accomplishment. It really is about the journey to me. I remember sitting at a Scout meeting in 2014 and staring into a book and looking at all of the ranks and merit badges. And six years later, I had done everything along the way, except the Eagle Scout public service project.
As I look back, I think about every little camping trip I did with the troop – all of the different experiences and the people I got to know, the things I learned, about leadership and personal growth. To me, the Eagle Scout badge represents all of that.
