Matthew Fries and Adam Muhsin, both of Old Lyme, received the Eagle Scout Award, Scouting’s highest achievement

At a double award ceremony on Saturday, June 15, Matthew T. Fries and Adam Y. Muhsin, both of Old Lyme, received the Eagle Scout Award, Scouting’s highest achievement.  Matt is the son of Jennifer Fries and the late Eric Fries of Old Lyme.  Adam is the son of Hussein and Susan Muhsin of Old Lyme.

The event was attended by over 100 people, including family, friends, fellow Scouts, State Representative Marilyn Giuliano, Old Lyme First Selectwoman Bonnie Reemsnyder, Selectwoman Mary-Jo Nosal and Selectman Arthur “Skip” Sibley, local clergy and representatives of the Connecticut Rivers Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the USS Nautilus SSN-571 Division of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps.  Retired Scoutmaster Mike Gentry was the Master of Ceremonies, assisted by Scoutmaster John Mesham.

To achieve the Eagle rank, a Boy Scout must demonstrate leadership and citizenship while earning 21 merit badges before the age of 18.  He must also complete a significant service project that demonstrates leadership and benefits the community.

As  members of Boy Scouts of America Troop 26, chartered by the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, Fries and Muhsin completed projects that benefited Camp Claire in Lyme.  Fries’s project involved building a deck on a cabin, while Muhsin’s project was to build benches for a fire ring.  Both projects required extensive project and safety planning and leadership of over 40 participants to make significant improvements to the camp.

Fries is a Sophomore at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, N.H., where he is planning to pursue a degree in Business.  He previously attended Landmark High School, Prides Crossing, Mass., and graduated in June 2012.  His interests include sailing, volunteering in church activities, running and collecting old vinyl records.  Fries currently works as a back server at the Bee and Thistle Inn in Old Lyme.

Muhsin is a Junior at The Sound School in New Haven.  His interests include skiing, biking, rowing, sailing, swimming and volunteering at the soup kitchen and at his mom’s store.  He is also a Petty Officer 2nd Class in the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet Corps, where he attends monthly drills.  Muhsin is considering majoring in Merchant Marine at one of the Maritime Academies.

Congratulations to both these fine, young men!