TOMS RIVER – At just 13 years old, Justyn V. Cruz Benoit had already achieved something that most Scouts don’t accomplish until the brink of adulthood – if ever.
Now 14, Justyn’s just waiting for August and formal recognition at an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony. Becoming an Eagle Scout is the highest and most prestigious rank in the Scouts BSA program. For context, only six percent of all Scouts ever earn the honor. And the average age? Seventeen.
Justyn didn’t just check off boxes to make it happen. His path was paved with purpose, leadership, and an unmistakable drive to give back to his community. Even more impressive? He took it upon himself to share his accomplishment and goals in a heartfelt, well-written letter – a move that underscored not just maturity, but a deep desire to inspire others.
“My name is Justyn V. Cruz Benoit, and I am proud to share that I have recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at the age of 13,” he began. “I am honored to be the most recent Eagle Scout in the Jersey Shore Council, and Troop 6, a milestone that represents years of hard work, leadership, community service, and dedication that I had.”
That letter caught attention – and for good reason.
Justyn’s journey in scouting began when he was just five years old as a Lion Scout. Over the years, he earned every Cub Scout award available, including the coveted Arrow of Light and Supernova Award, which emphasized his passion for STEM. Today, his merit badge sash is heavy with 121 badges – far exceeding the 21 required for Eagle. His goal? To earn all 139 available merit badges.
But it wasn’t the sheer volume of accomplishments that stood out most – it was what he chose to do with his Eagle Scout project.
Standing outside the George P. Vanderveer American Legion Post 129 in Toms River, Justyn noticed a garden that had seen better days. Overgrown with weeds and in need of TLC, the garden felt forgotten.
“I wanted a way to give back to the community,” said Justyn. “I wanted the veterans here to know that I support them and our country.”
What began as a modest plan to clean out pathways and plant pollinator-friendly flowers quickly blossomed into something transformative. Justyn renovated the entrance to the garden, installed a full water line system to feed the greenhouse and vegetables, and introduced sustainability elements like wood chips to suppress weeds.
The result? A garden brimming with tomatoes, cabbage, squash, watermelon, and more – fresh produce now shared with veterans and distributed through his church’s food pantry at Grace and Peace. Native perennials ensure blooms throughout the seasons, and strategically placed bat houses help naturally manage the mosquito population near the property’s Bunker Bar.
And it wasn’t easy.
One unexpected challenge came when Justyn requested a small amount of mulch from the township’s recycling center. Instead, a massive truckload arrived – enough to take up three parking spaces.
“We had to move it to other places outside the garden area,” said Justyn. “That was a lot of work.”
Other setbacks included a batch of plants that died after initial planting due to a lack of irrigation. That’s when Justyn pivoted and worked with a professional – along with his mother, Melissa Cruz Townsend, and a helpful contact from the American Legion and his church – to install a proper watering system.
“The hardest part was keeping everyone on task,” he admitted, referencing the team of 15 volunteers he organized, which included fellow Scouts, church members, and his family. “It took six months in total.”
Originally, there were questions whether Justyn’s project met Eagle Scout standards for sustainability. But Justyn stuck with it, proving that his design would have lasting impact – not only physically but emotionally for those who visit the garden and those who benefit from its harvest.
Justyn admitted that his mom has been one of his greatest supporters and encouraged him to work hard. On hand during her son’s interview, Melissa pointed to the healthy vegetable harvest as well as the pollinators visiting the garden.
Leaders at the American Legion expressed deep appreciation for Justyn’s contributions. Senator Andy Kim, both as a congressman and now in the United States Senate, has commended Justyn for his achievement and dedication to community service.
Outside of scouting, Justyn’s energy doesn’t let up. He’s active in his school band, jazz band, and marching band. He competes in track and field – and has won some races as he continues to improve in sprints and long jumps. Justyn plans to try out for the volleyball team when he begins high school this fall at Toms River North.
He’s also a regular volunteer at his church’s food pantry and serves as an usher on Sundays. “Service is part of who I am,” Justyn said simply.
Despite his age, Justyn talks like someone with a clear direction in life. He’s aiming for top universities – Harvard, Rutgers, and Rider among them – and is already eyeing the Summit Award in Venturing, the high-level program for older Scouts.
When asked about the most difficult merit badge, he didn’t hesitate.
“Definitely the personal management badge,” he said. “It’s basically about your money and how to spend it. It’s a real lifestyle thing.”
Perhaps it’s fitting that the badge focused on money management gave him the most pause – because Justyn seems rich in the ways that truly matter: Character. Leadership. Compassion. And a heart for service.
And that’s something no badge could ever fully capture.
