Patch Whiz Kid Of The Week: C.J. Hill

Meet the Clinton Patch's "Whiz Kid" of the week - Morgan School student and Boy Scout C.J. Hill.

Name:  C.J. Hill

Grade:  10

School:  The Morgan School

Accomplishments and Key to Awesomeness:  As a scout with Troop 55, C.J. took on an all-encompassing project: to fulfill his requirements to become an Eagle Scout. His project, to secure, protect and beautify the second oldest Chestnut oak tree in Connecticut - was also a very visible one on the long lawn of the First Church of Christ Congregational on East Main Street!  As part of the project, C.J. needed to use his leadership skills to influence and find workers, experts and other folks who would donate their time, materials and skills to his project. To this he succeeded, starting with his own family.

"My grandparents are builders and contractor," said C.J., who is the son of Lorraine and Chuck Hill of Clinton.

He also recruited friends, fellow Troop 55 scouts, other family members and Morgan graduate and Eagle Scout Ben Shorey.

Westbrook Concrete Block Co., Inc. donated the granite block, donations came in from Laser Engraved Services of Post Office Square in town, and the bench was donated, as well.

"About nine church members donated food and beverages while we worked on the project," said C.J. 

The work took one solid nine-hour day, said C.J., plus many summer weekends. The project was completed Nov. 7, 2010.

Along with the beautification and landscaping project, C.J. also took on the role of retiring several torn or damaged U.S. flags. Some of the flags came from a project his mother had organized at the church called the Field of Flags which is a dedication to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces who have lost their lives overseas. Veterans and members of the Clinton American Legion were invited to the flag retirement ceremony.