Micah Curbelo, pictured in his Stamford Fie Department dress uniform, stands next to one of two benches and planters he made for the Stamford Fire Department to complete his Eagle Scout project and community service component. He is the fourth member of the Stamford Scout Troop to obtain the Eagle Scout rank in the past year.
By Liz Page
STAMFORD – Becoming an Eagle Scout is the highest rank in scouting, and for Jefferson Troop 50, a fourth member joined this elite rank over the past year. Micah Curbelo, of Stamford, is the fourth member of the Troop to become an Eagle Scout. With only two percent of scouts ever achieving the rank, you can bet the Troop is very proud of the accomplishments of all four boys, who have now graduated high school.
"Micah has worked hard to become an Eagle Scout. He is close friends with Gus Miller, Connor Goodchild and Liam Seeley, who all became Eagle Scouts last September,” according to Scoutmaster Jason Seeley. "They were waiting for Micah to become an Eagle Scout so they could all celebrate and hold their Eagle ceremony together." That happened over the summer as the boys were preparing to enter a new chapter in their lives.
Curbelo is a student at SUNY Delhi where he is taking courses in welding, and upon graduation in two years, is hoping to get a job welding pipelines. He said he is looking to move to Texas where there are lots of pipelines, once he graduates.
Curbelo was a bit behind his fellow scouts as he joined the troop later than the other three, who have been friends since the first grade. "He has been persistent in attaining this award like his three friends," said Seeley.
Curbelo said his favorite part about scouting is "the camping stuff". He said he has enjoyed camping the most and all the other things you learn along the way. The hardest part, he said, was completing his hiking merit badge in order to move on to Eagle rank. "It was hard," said Curbulo. "You have to hike a lot." He finally finished his 120 miles of hiking required for the badge, with the help of his friends. He did it in increments, starting with a five mile hike and increasing the distance. His final hike was 20 miles with an overnight camp out. Needless to say, he said he was a little tired after the final hike.
"I wanted to finish my Eagle Scout because all my friends were doing it and it does help prepare you for the future," he said. It will also look good on his resume, he admits, and while it was difficult, it was also fun to complete.
Members of the Stamford Fire Department, of which Curbelo is a valued member, are also very proud of his achievement, along with his parents.
“We awarded Micah the Junior Firefighter of the Year Award during our installation dinner,”said Stamford Fire Chief Don VanEtten. “He’s a great kid who is extremely dedicated to the department. He has completed his basic and interior firefighter courses to become an interior firefighter.
“I remember him coming around as a kid and always showing an interest in the fire department. When he was finally old enough, he joined as a junior member.
“He continues putting in the hard work and improving himself. He is a mentor to the younger members as well. I am extremely proud of him. Even today he comes to calls, training and work details while attending college full time and holding a job at Eklunds.
“He’s a great kid and I’m glad he is part of our department. The department is proud of his Eagle Scout accomplishment. It’s a big deal and a huge milestone that such a small percentage of kids are able to attain.”
Curbelo's community service project was to build a pair of benches and planters for the outside of the Stamford Fire Department. People are enjoying the benches and often comment on the burned effect he added to the finished benches. He said he got help from four fellow scouts.
You must earn at least 21 merit badges and attain the Life Scout rank. There are 13 badges they must complete, including citizenship, in the nation and in the world, first aid, communication, cooking, personal fitness, emergency preparedness or lifesaving, camping, swimming, hiking, or recycling, and family life. An Eagle Scout must also demonstrate leadership responsibility in their school and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to a religious institution, school or the community. That project must involve their fellow scouts and be approved by the organization that will benefit from the project.
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