The National Jewish Committee on Scouting is proud to announce the recipients of the 2023 Eagle Scout Scholarships. If you or a Jewish Scout you know would like to be considered for one of four scholarships, please review the Eagle Scout Scholarship application instructions.
Ben Taylor
Wellington, Florida
Rick Arkans Eagle Scout Scholarship ($1,000)
Ben Taylor earned the coveted rank of Eagle Scout in December, 2021 as a member of Troop 125 in Wellington, Florida. Still a member of the Order of the Arrow’s Aal Pa Tah Lodge, Ben has been in Scouting since he became a Tiger Cub Scout. Like his Eagle Scout father, Ben earned his Arrow of Light Award before joining the Boy Scouts. Among the positions he held were Chaplain’s Aide, Librarian, OA Representative, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Ben earned an astounding 68 Merit Badges along with 9 Eagle Palms (triple Silver) and was a recipient of the Ner Tamid religious emblem. Ben’s Eagle Scout project was building a rock garden at his temple to represent each of the Twelve Tribes of Israel with different characteristic rocks. This comports with his interest in Geology, which he is studying as his major while a student at the University of South Florida.
David Pagan
Forest Hills, New York
Frank L. Weil Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship ($2,000)
David Pagan is a proud Eagle Scout from Troop 349 in Forest Hills, New York. He joined the Scouting program as a Tiger Cub in 2011 and has been devoted to the program ever since. As a troop guide, David introduced a new generation of Scouts to the program, helping them adjust and get ahead in the troop. Serving as a Patrol Leader and a Senior Patrol Leader, he was a member of the Order of the Arrow and kept his troop motivated and connected during the COVID pandemic. His work culminated with a trek to the Philmont Scout Ranch and the National Jamboree. David was president of the Forest Hills Youth Group for three years and served as editor-in-chief of his high school yearbook. Currently he is attending Colgate University with a planned major in Political Science.
Jacob Barnett
Bear, Delaware
Frank L. Weil Memorial Eagle Scout Scholarship ($3,000)
Jacob Barnett is an Eagle Scout who hails from Bear, Delaware, where he got started as a Cub Scout before becoming a member of Troop 902 in the Del-Mar-Va Council. He was a longtime volunteer for Temple Beth El in nearby Newark, where he became a bar mitzvah. Ever mindful of his faith, Jacob was also a member of AZA and earned his Ner Tamid religious emblem. He advanced in his Scouting career, becoming a Patrol Leader and, later, a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster, acquiring 46 Merit Badges and 5 Eagle Palms. Jacob has always had a passion for food, which got him interested in eventually owning his own gourmet burger and fries restaurant. To that end, he is currently a freshman at Johnson and Wales University, in Providence, Rhode Island, majoring in Culinary Arts and Food and Beverage Industry Management.
Colten Elijah Schabler
Indianapolis, Indiana
Chester M. Vernon Eagle Scout Scholarship ($4,000)*
Colten Elijah Schabler grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana where he attended Hasten Hebrew Academy and North Central High School. He joined Cub Scouts in elementary school and became an Eagle Scout with Troop 112 in the Crossroads of America Council in June of 2022. Colten received his Ner Tamid religious emblem in 2018 and later served as a Patrol Leader in the troop. He always enjoyed volunteering to help others throughout his Scouting career, amassing 45 Merit Badges and 4 Eagle Palms. A Vigil Honors member of the Order of the Arrow, Colten was actively involved with coding for computer gaming and enjoyed rendering 3-D photography and creating other pieces of art. This led him to his current studies in Computer Engineering at Purdue University at Indianapolis; he plans to pursue a minor in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering as well.
*A $1,000 scholarship per year is paid over a four-year term