Cayden Riley Earns Eagle Scout Rank

Nantucket Boy Scout Troop 97 honored another one of their own for achieving Eagle Scout status during a ceremony at Camp Richard Saturday evening. Cayden Riley, a senior at Nantucket High School, became the 12^th island scout to earn his Eagle status since 2022. Riley told the Current his Eagle Scout project was picnic tables for the Nantucket Conservation Foundation.

“I decided to build some picnic tables for the Windswept Cranberry Bog’s restoration area," Riley said. "They're off of Polpis (Road). Those picnic tables are supposed to allow people to use that space recreationally, and in a manner that is beneficial to the space.”

Across the country, only four percent of scouts achieve Eagle Scout status. Scouting was established on Nantucket in 1925 and only 58 island scouts - including Riley - have achieved the Eagle Scout rank to date. 

Riley had Troop 97 scout Robert Graves and eagle scout Tomas Young speak on his behalf during the ceremony. They called Riley a mentor, role model, and someone who always brightens the room with his humor and kindness. His parents, Amanda and Shaun, were also in attendance with Amanda speaking for approximately three minutes about how proud they were of their son, his perseverance, and the man he has become.

The sharp uptick in scouts earning their Eagle Scout rank is a credit to Troop Leader Jason Zinser and the rest of the scout leaders for their work with the young men as they help them rise through the ranks, as well as the discipline and determination of these Eagle Scouts to reach this significant milestone. Riley took time to credit each of them in a speech, saying the troop would be nothing without them.

Zinser said he has been with Cayden and following his journey since his early cub scout days. He said he could always see Cayden picking up pieces of their instruction and that Riley almost never missed a meeting. For years, when Zinser would ask Riley about his desire to work towards merit badges and one day his Eagle Scout rank, Riley would always tell him he just wanted to “come to meetings, go camping and have fun, and help out whenever needed.” It wasn’t until Riley was in high school that he approached Zinser about wanting to pursue his Eagle Scout status. While he had a late start, his incredible drive, dedication, and perseverance helped him achieve his goal.

Riley also thanked Pauline Proch, a longtime school committee member and former committee chair who stepped down in 2024 and now serves as the executive director of Our House, an island 501(c)(3) whose mission is to serve Nantucket’s youth by providing a safe, nurturing environment with access to people and resources that help them reach their potential and enjoy successful and productive lives.

Riley surprised Proch by presenting her with the Eagle Scout mentor pin, which goes to a non-parent figure that plays a crucial role in helping a scout get to Eagle. Riley said the pin was to recognize Proch for her consistent support, providing a calm space to get paperwork done, and assistance with both choosing and carrying out his Eagle Scout project. He said without her, he doesn’t believe he could have earned his Eagle Scout status.

Riley received a letter from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, certificate of recognition from state senator Elizabeth Warren, and letters from Rep. Thomas Moakley and Rep. Bill Keating for this achievement. He was also recognized on the senate and house floors.

Below are the island students who have earned their Eagle Scout rank since 2022.

08/25/22: Gabriel Zinser

08/25/22: Jeremy Caspe

11/05/22: Quinn Keating

02/02/23: Reuben Eldridge

07/17/23: Colin Lynch

07/17/23: Owen Wilson

11/04/23: Tomas Young

01/20/24: Timothy Sullivan

08/01/24: Forbes Keating

12/16/24: Benjamin Zinser

01/25/25: Elijah Holland

08/06/25: Cayden Riley

To earn Eagle, one must climb seven Scouting ranks, earn 21 merit badges, complete an Eagle Service Project, become a leader within their troop, and prepare their final Eagle Scout Binder.



All photos below taken by David Creed.