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Auburn Scout honored for saving 5-year-old swimmer

  • Posted by The Burbs (Sponsor: North End Motor Sales) November 9, 2021 - Filed in News - #Auburn  #Oakham  #Nathan Castellano  #Boy Scouts  #Pine Acres Campground  - 2,943 views

    Nathan Castellano doesn’t consider himself a hero. The 12-year-old from Auburn says he simply did what he knew had to be done to save a 5-year-old from drowning. For his quick and decisive reaction, Nathan was recognized with a Meritorious Action Award by the Heart of New England Council, Boy Scouts of America.

    In early September, Nathan’s Boy Scout Troop 53 held an overnight campout at Pine Acres Campground in Oakham. During the campout, a group of Scouts were swimming in one end of an inground pool. At the shallower end of the pool, a 5-year-old boy entered and started heading towards the troop. Unfortunately, while moving towards the Scouts in the deeper end, the child sunk to the pool’s bottom.

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    Soon after, Nathan turned around and noticed the boy at the bottom of the pool, not moving. Without hesitation, Nathan dove to the bottom, grabbed the young boy under his shoulders and pulled him out of the water. After placing him on the walkway surrounding the pool, the boy coughed up water and gasped for air. The boy’s mother rushed over to the scene and comforted her son. Had it not been for Nathan, the child easily could have drowned.

    Mark Barbernitz, Scout Executive and CEO of the local Boy Scout Council in Central Massachusetts, said Nathan exemplifies the many lessons and skills youth learn through their involvement in Scouting. 

    "That day in the pool, Nathan was prepared and he was brave – two critical qualities that we teach youth in our program”, Barbernitz said. "Nathan’s courageous action and quick thinking exemplify our mission to prepare young people to be active and responsible citizens in their community and become leaders of tomorrow. It is remarkable and praiseworthy that Nathan, a 12-year-old boy, saved another child’s life that day.”

    Nathan was recognized for his heroism on November 3rd during the Heart of New England Council’s Annual Awards Dinner. In addition, several adults were honored for their distinguished service and significant contributions to Scouting by being awarded the highest service awards for volunteers, the Silver Beaver Award and North Star Award. The North Star honoree was Richard Sheils, Jr., and the Silver Beaver honorees were Stephen Hoff, Mike Prifti, Ken Simpson, Richard Spurr, John Szymczak, Dale Wheeler, and Bill Williams Jr.

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