Reading Memorial High School Senior Nick Staffier wants to study civil engineering in college next Fall, so it is no surprise that he chose to create a trail and design a bridge for his Eagle Scout project.  

Staffier has been involved as a Scout since the first grade, when he started as a Tiger Cub. 

His project of creating the Lynn Village Way Trail in the Reading Town forest seemed like a natural extension of Staffier's interest in camping, hiking and nature.  

"I met with town meeting member Bill Finch, and we walked the trail through, then mapped it out. My assistant scoutmaster, who is an architect, put me in touch with a structural engineer to help me design the bridge," he explained.

It took 129 volunteers several days to complete it, and Staffier said, "I feel great about it."

Staffier, who also volunteers for other eagle scout's projects, said that 99 percent of his troop will make Eagle Scout. He points to its growing popularity since there are three troops in Reading for boys ages 11-17.

Although he now keeps busy after school with his job at the Boston Minuteman Council scout shop in Woburn, Staffier participated in the marching band and played soccer his freshman and sophomore years. He also ran with the track team sophomore and junior years and volunteered with the Friends of Metro Boston, serving food, as a requirement for confirmation.

Having applied to ten schools, Staffier has so far heard from three.  He said his first choice, if he is accepted, will be Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

In college, he hopes to join intramural clubs to be active, fit and have fun.

Staffier is the son of Edward and Mary Jane Staffier and is one of 5 children.  He has one brother, Dan, 15 and three sisters, Mariel, 11, Rachel, 7 and Ava, 3.