Neel Vora, Boy Scout of Troop 1 Northboro, was recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at his Eagle Court of Honor held at Trinity Church in Northboro. The Eagle rank is the highest rank that a scout can achieve in Boy Scouts of America. Neel is the son of Chandra and Nisha Vora of Northboro.

To achieve this rank, one must earn twenty-one merit badges, serve in leadership positions in his troop, complete several hours of community service, plan and carry out a leadership project that benefits an organization, and successfully complete a Board of  Review.  Neel earned 24 badges in Art, Family Life, Fingerprinting,  Citizenship in Community, Nation and World, Geology, Leatherwork,  Camping, First Aid, Coin Collecting, Computers, Stamp collecting, Electricity, Swimming, Traffic Safety, Environment Science, Wood Carving,  Personal Management, Communications, and Emergency Preparedness. During scouting, he earned several special awards, including Junior Leadership Training, Attendance, Scoutmaster Spirit,  Service to America, and the Order of the Arrow.

Neel's Eagle Scout Service Project involved the marking, cleaning, and renovation of Peaslee Elementary School's Nature's Classroom Trail. With the help of Scouts and Adult Leaders, his project successfully removed litter and obstructions that had plagued the trail and made it unusable for several years. In addition, the trail was marked along the sides with logs and with marker on the trees, steps were added to the beginning and end of the trail, and a sign was added to the entrance area of the trail. Neel also had a Trail dedication Ceremony in June, 2005 in which he donated $195.80 to Principal Mr. Donald Holm for the maintenance of the trail.

Neel's Eagle Ceremony was held at Trinity Church in Northboro on March 18, 2006. About 150 people attended the ceremony, including Peaslee School Principal Mr. Donald Holm, Northboro Town Selectman Fran Bakstran, leaders and members of Boy Scout  Troop 1, along with family and friends. Mr. Rick Hagen and Mr. Bob D'Amico spoke about Neel's path to Eagle through his scouting years. Mr. Donald Holm spoke about the project and Neel's career at Peaslee School.    Nisha recited a beautiful poem while Chandra  recounted his years growing up as a Boy Scout.

Neel is a senior currently attending Saint John's High School of Shrewsbury. He is captain and student coach of his school's Varsity Debate Team, and is active in several other clubs, including Math Team, National Honors Society, and Mock Trial. He serves his community through the Indian Youth Group of Worcester, the Big  Brothers program, and opportunities through Boy Scouts and school. Neel is active in the Jain community and enjoys participating in Indian cultural activities. He hopes to one day pursue a career in Business, and  plans to attend Duke University in North Carolina after graduating high school.

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