I am an Eagle Scout from Troop 20 in Winnetka. I just graduated with my master’s in computer science, and I am living in Alameda, California, where I work at Ello as a machine learning engineer. As a rower, I qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games (to be held in July) as part of the United States’ eight boat that won the World Rowing Final Olympic & Paralympic Qualification Regatta on May 21, 2024, at Lake Lucerne in Switzerland.
I was 12 when I attended my first weeklong rowing camp and 14 when I started rowing at New Trier. As an Eagle Scout, I built signs for the North Branch of the Chicago River where we rowed.
Scouting prepared me for life by always thinking about being prepared. It is far easier being proactive rather than reactive in life. This is true as we prepare for the Olympics, where it is far easier to make adjustments in our plan several months in advance rather than two days before a race. It was equally true as I prepared for hard classes in college by not waiting until the last moment to do things.
Some of my fondest memories of Scouting were working in our troop’s Christmas tree lot, spending the night in the woods of Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan, and competing in camp games with limited supplies. It was always fun to figure out the best way to start a fire with our team when we were only given five matches.
In Scouts, you are faced with many decisions and opportunities to figure out how you want to do things. The experience of directing yourself to navigate it and have fun with friends is amazing, and I would highly recommend it.
Don’t forget to cheer on Peter this summer during the 2024 Paris Olympics!