Troop 3 Honors Two New Eagle Scouts at Court

Troop 3 celebrated a major milestone on December 6 at Manchester’s American Legion Hall as two of its scouts, Ian Campbell and Jordan Varghese, achieve the rank of Eagle Scout—the highest honor in Scouting. 

The ceremony was attended by Massachusetts Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, Scouting leaders, past Eagle Scouts, as well as family and friends of Troop 3’s newest “Eagles.”

Jordan Varghese is a music enthusiast who is also passionate about being involved in exploring the outdoors as well as community service.  Varghese’s Eagle Scout project was designed to increase volunteer involvement at the Cape Ann Animal Aid shelter in Gloucester.  The organization highlighted the lack of benches in outdoor parks that was limiting the time volunteers spent exercising dogs.  Varghese helped organize a donation drive and build multiple benches.  Jordan currently is enrolled at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell at the college of Engineering, where he is studying mechanical engineering.

Ian Campbell’s Eagle project grew from his passion for the outdoors and community service and his desire to inspire others to that same passion.  For his project, Campbell organized and led scouts and adults from his home troop as well as Andover Troop 79 in installing bird identification signs along the walking trails of Fish Brook Reservation in Andover.  Each sign features a bird image, key facts, and a QR code linking to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology for further information.

As Senior Patrol Leader of Manchester Troop 3, Ian was recognized with a Community Service award for logging the most service hours, reflecting his commitment to making a positive impact on our society.  Currently, Ian is a freshman at Northeastern University in Boston, pursuing a dual major in Electrical Engineering and Physics.  He continues to enjoy hiking and camping outdoors.

For Ian, the “Court of Honor” ceremony marking his Eagle Scout rank continues a deep and proud family tradition.  Three generations of Campbell Eagle Scouts were present, including Ian’s brother, Dean, father Neil, all three of Neil’s brothers Bruce, Wayne, and Brian, as well as his grandfather Carl Campbell. 

On Ian’s maternal side, the legacy runs just as deep.  Ian’s grandfather, John Tussing Jr., achieved Eagle rank of Eagle in 1949 with Troop 399 in Catonsville, MD. Like Carl, he also served as Scoutmaster with Troop 399.  Ian’s great-grandfather, John Tussing Sr., was a scout in Virginia, later Scoutmaster of Troop 399 and later was presented with the prestigious Silver Beaver Award for outstanding service to the Boy Scouts of America.