NEWPORT, R.I. (WJAR) — A Newport teen recently achieved a life-long dream of his to become an Eagle Scout.
For years, now 21-year-old Christopher 'Chris' Del Guercio has been a Boy Scout.
He's been earning merit badges by completing projects and recently, talk of becoming an 'Eagle Scout' was in the works.
It's the highest rank offered by the Boy Scouts of America, recently renamed Scouting America.
“I joined Boy Scouts because I really like scouting," said Del Guercio, "To follow my dad and my brother because when they got their Eagle I wanted to get mine because this is the toughest one to get."
Del Guercio has Down syndrome, but he's never let that stop him from doing anything he puts his mind to.
Whenever he does something, his dad, Paul Del Guercio, says he does it with a lot of love.
“Christopher is just so accepting of everybody, he will reach out to anybody he makes everybody think that they’re the best person in the world at the moment," said Paul. “We call Christopher the mayor of Newport; he knows everybody”.
Del Guercio attends boarding school at Riverview in East Sandwich, Massachusetts.
After speaking with his scout leaders, friends, and family, he met with his school to discuss how his Eagle Project could benefit the school.
“I felt happy because I want to give back the environment my school wants," said Del Guercio. “The gazebo we had to repair, paint it, and sand it. We had to clean the benches, clean the rocks, and clean the leaves off and we did the tree we etched around and put mulch in it."
After planning the entire project and purchasing tools necessary to complete the upgrades, Del Guercio alongside other members of his Newport troop, his family and friends volunteered to pitch in for his project.
“It looks nicer and feels nicer," he said. “They’re just my friends because they took me under their wing because they help me a lot like knot tying camping and a bunch of other stuff they mean a lot to me.”
After the project's completion, Paul reached out to several prominent entities.
The New England Patriots, the Pentagon, local and national government agencies all sent congratulatory certificates of appreciation to Del Guercio.
Then, a celebration was held for the pinning of his 'eagle' coat of honors.
“The award presentation is where they’re given the medal and there’s a candlelight ceremony afterward that represents the 12 points of the scouts law, so, each of the scouts in your troop comes up has a little speech to give for each piece of those and that ends the ceremony," said Paul. “Eagle Scout is not just for the scout themselves, but I think it also shows the community as well as the other scouts that this is something that can be attained and it’s a big deal.”
The Mayor of Newport attended the ceremony and presented Del Guercio with a key to the city.
“I felt amazing," said Del Guercio. “I am so proud of myself cause I was kind of nervous if I didn’t get my eagle.”
Del Guercio said the ceremony was emotional.
He hopes to serve as an inspiration to others, his dad said he has been for years.
“You’re a gift, you just give the gift of kindness and love," said Paul while looking at his son. "We all should have a little down syndrome in us.”
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