Boy Scout Troop 40 honored Michael Rexroad and Aayush Sharma for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout on May 31 at Dutch Neck Presbyterian Church.
Rexroad completed an Eagle project to build and install trail education signs at Zaitz Woods Nature Preserve off Southfield Road. The signs covered the ecosystems of the field, the stream, the vernal pools, the canopy, and the forest floor. He also led a group of Webelos scouts on a hike at the preserve, improving the learning experience for the Webelos and laying the foundation for the community to learn more about nature and the Preserve.
“Scouting to me was an opportunity to build character and help me discover what I really love to do,” says Rexroad. “I especially enjoyed the high adventure campouts because they provided several once-in-a-life-time experiences that I will never forget. I also thoroughly enjoyed working on my Eagle project because it allowed me to put my artistic skills to use in a way that benefits the community.”
Rexroad began his scouting career in 2003, as a Tiger Cub with West Windsor Pack 40. He earned his Arrow of Light award and bridged into Troop 40 in 2008. Currently serving as the troop’s senior patrol leader, Rexroad has also held leadership positions with the troop as troop guide, instructor, patrol leader, and assistant senior patrol leader. Rexroad successfully completed his National Youth Leadership Training in 2011 and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow in 2013.
An enthusiastic camper, Rexroad attended the 100th Anniversary National Jamboree in Virginia in 2010, backpacked at Philmont in 2011, sailed and snorkeled in Florida at the Sea Base Coral Reef program in 2012, and attended the 2013 National Jamboree at the Summit in West Virginia. In addition to attending many troop campouts and Mercer Area District Camporees, he has co-led the annual Hershey Park campout for several years, and attended Troop 40’s summer camp at Camp NOBE for the past six years.
Rexroad enjoys sculpting, woodworking, and graphic design. He put his skills to work to design the Council patch for his 2013 National Jamboree troop, and also worked on stage crew at High School North, where he will be a senior, for several musical and dramatic productions. He plans to study graphic design in college.
Sharma’s Eagle Scout Project beautified several parts of West Windsor and provided the township with valuable information. He led groups of volunteers in cataloging trees in each of West Windsor’s 116 residential cul-de-sacs, identifying the tree species in each cul-de-sac, counting the trees, and creating a database of information that the Township can use in future landscaping projects. The project also renovated five deteriorated cul-de-sacs by trimming hedges, removing dead tree limbs, and planting flowers.
The Eagle project is just one example of Sharma’s commitment to service. He also established a learning center in an Indian slum for impoverished children to learn English and computer skills at no cost. More than 100 children have attended courses at the center.
“The effect that this project had on the children caused me to realize how much of an impact a couple of months and a mere thousand dollars can have on lives of so many people. After participating in the program many of the students realized their potential for success, and renewed efforts to improve their lives,” Sharma said.
“Visiting the center two years after having established it, I was delighted to see that one boy in particular, who used to work at a food stall for a mere 35 cents per day, used his newly acquired English skills to get a job at a hotel in the city, earning a comfortable salary while still attending school.”
Sharma began his scouting career in 2002 as a Cub Scout with Pack 360. After moving to West Windsor, he joined Pack 66. After earning his Arrow of Light, he bridged to Troop 40. He has served as the Troop 40’s den chief, instructor, historian, and patrol leader. Sharma enjoys camping, attending Nobebosco, Rodney, West Point, and several camporees. In 2010 he attended the National Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill to celebrate the 100th anniversary of scouting, as well as his favorite camp, Sea Base. Sharma was also inducted to the Order of the Arrow.
A June graduate of High School North, Sharma was a leader and programmer on the school’s robotics team. He will study computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he hopes to get involved with local scouting troops.
