Bruce Evan Matos, a Weston High School rising sophomore and member of Weston Boy Scout Troop 788, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement and rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America.

Along with his Eagle rank, Bruce also earned the Bronze, Gold and Silver palms, representing 15 additional merit badges above the required 21. An Eagle Scout Court of Honors was held at Norfield Congregational Church Hall and was led by Scoutmaster Jared Mittleman. Bruce’s older brother, Dylan Mondrus, who is also an Eagle Scout, read the Eagle Charge and welcomed him into the Eagle Scout brotherhood.

Bruce began his scouting career as a Tiger Scout with Riverdale’s Pack 24 in New York City, and later transferred to Weston’s Cub Scout Pack 75 earning the highest award, the Arrow of Light. As a Boy Scout, Bruce served in various leadership roles including Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Librarian, Chaplain’s Aide and Patrol Leader.

For his leadership and community service project, Bruce partnered with the Strength and Honor Foundation to make, collect and refurbish gently used martial arts gear. The equipment was donated to various dojos throughout New England that train veterans in the discipline of martial arts and in turn empower them to set up studios in under-resourced communities where children can take free kung-fu classes after school.

At Weston High School, Bruce is a Principal’s Honor Roll student, Under-Secretary General of the Model UN Club, President of the Cultural Linguistics Preservation Society, Secretary of the American Heroes Club, plays the violin in the WHS String Orchestra and competes in the 100m, 200m and 4x400m relay events on the WHS Track & Field team.

Outside of school, Bruce continues to be involved in his passion, Kung Fu. He recently earned the Zhongi Black Belt, and in the fall will become a Kung Fu assistant instructor. He volunteers his time as a founding member and Junior Advisory Board Member of the CT Chapter of the Joshua’s Heart Foundation. He is a member of the Mensa Honor Society, a Youth Advisory Board member for Scholastic Inc and the Weston Public Library. He volunteers his time with Norfield Church, The Million Thanks Program, the Hershey’s Heartwarming Foundation, and is an Ambassador for Innerview, a platform that helps students highlight community service.

During the Eagle Court of Honors, Bruce was presented with various congratulatory citations from Connecticut Attorney General William Tong, Congressman Jim Himes, Representative Anne Hughes, and First Selectwoman Samantha Nestor. He was also gifted an American Flag by Senator Richard Blumenthal, which was flown over the United States Capitol in honor of achieving the Eagle Scout rank.

In recognition for his dedication to community service, Bruce was presented with the Jefferson Youth Award for Outstanding Commitment to Public Service and The President’s Volunteer Service Award Gold Medal.