Matthew Scott Quinn, a sophomore at Richmond Hill High School, was awarded the Boy Scout’s highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout, from Boy Scout Troop 400 on March 6 in a ceremony held at St. Anne’s Catholic Church.
Quinn began his scouting career in third grade when he joined Cub Scout Pack 400 in Richmond Hill. He earned his “Arrow of Light Award” in Cub Scouts and then crossed over to Boy Scouts Troop 400 in early 2006.
Quinn earned 33 Merit Badges, the 50 Miler Award, the Historic Trails Award and then was inducted into the “Order of the Arrow.” His positions included assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leader, chaplain aide, troop guide, bugler and Order of the Arrow troop representative.
Quinn’s scouting career enabled him to camp at campgrounds in Georgia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. His most memorable experience was a two-week trek to Philmont, N.M., in 2009. Quinn and the Philmont team backpacked 64 miles and went whitewater rafting, rock climbing, rifle shooting, black powder shooting and horseback riding. 
St. Anne’s Catholic Church was the site of Quinn’s Eagle project, which consisted of planting 24 Kwanzan cherry trees throughout the church grounds and staking in 50 railroad ties in the parking lot. The project was planned and completed under Quinn’s direction with the help of his fellow Scouts at Troop 400 and the St. Anne’s Church community.
Although Quinn’s scouting career has been a major part of his life, he also is involved in many other activities. He is a member of the Richmond Hill High School National Honor Society, plays trombone in the high school’s marching and symphonic bands and is a member of Richmond Hill’s Venture Crew 400, St. Anne’s Catholic Church youth group and the RHHS track team. 
Quinn was chosen in 2010 to participate in the People to People Student Ambassador program and also was chosen for the National Youth Leadership Forum in Washington, D.C., which he will attend in the spring of 2012.