Three members of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 39, Wareham, have earned the highest scouting honor — despite a late start in the program. 

Haralambos “Labby” Sivvianakis, Daniel Hayes-Hillman and Galen Lauer all received their Eagle Scout Awards during a ceremony on Saturday, April 6. 

“It’s a big accomplishment for them to follow through with it,” said troop leader Kim Carman. “This will stay with them forever.”

Sivvianakisand Hayes-Hillman both did their Eagle Scout Service Projects with the Sippican Land Trust. The service project is the final step to becoming an Eagle Scout; while the project requirements are broad, it has to be of value to a nonprofit or a community, Carman said. 

Sivvianakis worked on foot bridges to enhance Land Trust trails. He identified which bridges needed to be replaced, built the bridges at home and installed them on the trails. 

Hayes-Hillman identified invasive species of plants on Land Trust land and determined which ones to remove. 

Lauer did a project for the Wareham Free Library, renovating the outside area of the childrens’ garden. 

They earned their Eagle Scout Awards despite starting in the program at an older age than most recruits. 

“All three entered the program [late] — we refer to them as walk-ins,” Carman said. Rather than joining as Cub Scouts, they joined in the 11-and-up age group. 

“Sometimes [scouts] lose interest, but these guys didn’t,” he added. 

The Select Board presented the scouts with certificates of congratulations. 

“Since the establishment of the Eagle Scout honor in 1912 only about two percent of eligible scouts are able to attain the rank of Eagle Scout… Becoming an Eagle Scout demonstrates many attributes including experiential learning and personal growth,” the certificate reads. 

According to Carman, Troop 39 has 49 Eagle Scouts among its historical ranks, going back to 1967 —- with a 50th going up for review on Sunday, April 14. 

That’s pretty good “for a troop our size,” he said.