Whiz Kid of the Week: Emery Young III

Whiz Kid’s Name: Emery Young III

Whiz Kid’s School: Nathan Hale-Ray High School

Whiz Kid’s Accomplishments: 

Emery Young, soon-to-be senior at Nathan Hale-Ray High School in East Haddam, was honored by the Town of Groton for becoming an Eagle Scout. Young worked as a cook at Webster Scout Camp in 2009, served as assistant ranger of the camp in 2010, and built a portico at Groton Congregational Church. This construction project, which Young wholly organized, qualified him as an Eagle Scout.

The project benefited the church, its members, and community groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, which meet in the church. Young constructed a portico over a door used as a fire exit.  In poor weather conditions, the exit is often blocked by snow and ice, which creates a fire hazard.

“I built a portico over the back door because when it snows there…you can’t open it,” said Young. “[The] building made [entry] safer and easier. I know it helped out a lot of people.”

Young, whose father is a carpenter, filed permits for construction, raised funds for the project, and oversaw a group of workers pulled from members of his troop. Construction was held at the end of last winter.

“Slate shingles,” Young said emphatically, of the challenges he faced in construction. “Other than that, everything went pretty good. It wasn’t too hard.”

Young received acknowledgments and certificates of recognition from President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Congressman Joe Courtney, and the Supreme Court. He was honored with proclamations from the Town of Groton, the City of Groton, and the Town of East Haddam.

“It means I have the skills to lead others,” said Young, of being an Eagle Scout. “[The project] represents my finishing the whole process…building [my] organizational and leadership skills.”

Key to his success: 

“My dad,” Young said. “He encouraged me to keep doing it.”

Best Advice: 

“Keep doing it. Don’t get distracted.”

Know a great kid who made Eagle Scout, or helped your local soccer team take the championship?

Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to Jessica.hilo@patch.com. Be sure to include all of the following information:

●      Nominator's Name

●      Nominator's e-mail

●      Whiz Kid's Name

●      Whiz Kid's Age

●      Whiz Kid's School

●      Whiz Kid's Accomplishment

●      Whiz Kid's Key to Success

 If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and assign a photographer to take a photo. For questions, e-mail Jessica.hilo@patch.com.