Laconia teen earns Scouting's highest honor

LACONIA — Steven Poliquin, 15, recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest rank possible as a member of the Boy Scouts of America. Achieving this honor first entails completing the prior six ranks along with 21 individual skill trainings called merit badges. The Scout must hold multiple leadership positions within their troop and lead a team of people to complete their Eagle project. Steven's Eagle Project held very special meaning to him. Along with Scouting, he is a very active athlete and played baseball for years in the Laconia Little League. When it came time to select his project, he wanted to find a way to give back to the Little League. He learned that their equipment shed was in need of a makeover. He assembled his team and built all new equipment storage shelving for the league, allowing them to sort and store their gear by division. A major part of an Eagle project is raising the funds needed to complete the project. Steven held a spaghetti dinner fundraiser and not only raised enough money to complete the project, but also donated over $700 to Laconia Little League for new equipment.

Steven is an active member of Troop 68 in Laconia, where he has held the positions of Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and Instructor. His Scouting adventure began at the age of 7 when he joined Pack 68 as a Tiger Cub. He spent five years as a Cub Scout earning all available ranks including the highest honor in Cub Scouts, The Arrow of Light. In addition he has earned several religious medals in Scouting including The Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei, and is currently working on completing the Ad Altari Dei medal. He has spent the last four years with the troop, attending summer camp at Hidden Valley Scout camp, and most recently spending a week at the High Adventure Camp, Sea Base, in the Florida Keys. On top of all of his Scouting achievements, Steven maintains High Honor Roll grades and plays varsity Soccer and Baseball at Laconia High School. Troop 68 is extremely proud of their newest Eagle Scout.

Steven Poliquin of Laconia has achieved Eagle Scout rank. (Courtesy photo)