Nine become Eagle Scouts at Court of Honor

By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — Nine Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 63 were recently awarded their designation as an “Eagle Scout,” the highest rank that may be achieved by a Boy Scout.
The Eagle Scout Court of Honor was held at Goshen Central High School on May 12. Those rising to Eagle Scout were: Nicholas T. Brown, Jackson Marshall DeClerck, Conor J. Donovan, Max Heinrich, Owen S. Henkler, Liam Patrick Kelly, Anthony J. Palazolla III, Camden Louis Olivero, and Theodore A. Riley. Cody Eisenring received the Eagle Scout Spirit Award.
All of these boys have been active through the years in scouting, beginning in first grade as Cub Scouts and then crossing over into Boy Scouts in fifth grade. All of the Eagle Scouts are currently high school seniors and their scouting experience has lasted a full 12 years.
The Court of Honor began with the Presentation of Colors. Thereafter, Senior Patrol Leaders Jack Loughran and Matthew Lewis led the assembled members of the Court of Honor, the Eagle Scouts, and the members of the Troop as well various local dignitaries, Eagle Scout families and members of the public in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, the Scout Oath and the Scout Law. Deacon Bill Castellane delivered the Invocation.
Scoutmaster Jeffrey Albanese then welcomed the scouts, their families, friends, and guest dignitaries to the impressive ceremony which culminated with the awarding of the rank of “Eagle” to each of the nine scouts.
Troop 63 has a long history of Eagle Scout honorees, beginning in 1957 nearly 150 scouts have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, including Mayor of the Village of Goshen Kyle Roddey.
To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, of which 13 are required, demonstrate Scout Spirit, as well as leadership ability. Additionally the Scout must plan, develop, and lead a service project, known as the “Eagle Project” that demonstrates both leadership and a commitment to duty. After all requirements are met, the Scout must successfully complete an Eagle Scout board of review.
The service projects undertaken by the new Eagle Scouts were as follows:
Nicholas T. Brown Nicholas is son of Karen and Gregory Brown. He constructed six garbage can enclosures at Salesian Park. The enclosures, constructed to prevent rain from entering the cans and animals from accessing them, assisted the management crew of the Park by making it easier for them to remove garbage from the park, said Brown. Corey Moore, carpentry teacher at Orange-Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Education Center, assisted in construction and design. Nicholas also earned the Order of the Arrow which promotes Scouting ideals, especially selfless leadership to help others, as lifelong values and encourages continued participation in Scouting and camping.
Jackson Marshall DeClerck Jack is the son of Anne and Russell DeClerck. He rejuvenated the garden at the entrance of the Orange County Veterans Cemetery by removing dead plants, turning old mulch, as well as adding new mulch and planting new plants. He also applied water seal to a small footbridge inside the garden. Jack was honored to improve appearance of the cemetery that is the final resting place for so many of our local veterans.
Conor J. Donovan Conor is the son of Julia and David Donovan. He upgraded the deteriorated handicapped access ramp on the side of the Wagon Shop building at Museum Village in Monroe. After removing the ramp, he converted the approximately 40’ by 12’ area underneath and surrounding the ramp into a garden by removing existing vegetation, roto-tilling the soil and installing new plantings and mulch. His project was made possible by the generous and gracious assistance of John McLoughlin.
Max Heinrich Max is the son of Robin and Fred Heinrich. He painted, repaired holes, cracks and chipped pieces of walls in Fellowship Hall at the Denton Presbyterian Church in New Hampton. Said Heinrich, “The members of my church are like my second family, not including the troop. When my scoutmaster approved my project there was no better feeling knowing I would have the opportunity to give back to a community that had helped raise me and give me the faith I have today. Along with that came the multiple layers of fresh paint that would give the room a smile. The project was a success, and once the music started playing the paint rollers got rolling and the job done was impeccable. The following Sunday was nothing but smiles. The project as a whole really showed me what giving back to your community can really do.”
Owen HenklerOwen is the son of Mary Ellen and Thomas Henkler. He painted the interior of Goshen’s historic AUMP Church. “The church is historic because of its link to an African-American painter who was a member of the church,” Henkler explained. Assisted by members of his troop, on the first day, they set up tarps, prepared the walls and then spackled and caulked. The next day, they sanded and painted the walls and trim.
Liam Patrick Kelly Liam is the son of Melissa and Patrick Kelly. He repainted the hallway in St. James Episcopal Church, in Goshen, starting with removing all of the signs, bulletins boards, and paintings. Assisting was Jim Cassel, an adult leader and member of the church, who provided tools and helped in designing the project. The painting project’s success, aided by members of the troop, ensures that the church remains well maintained, said Kelly.
Anthony J. Palazolla III Anthony is the son of Joy and Anthony Palazolla. He refurbished Potter’s Field at the Slate Hill Cemetery in Goshen. The Potter’s Field, which contains over 100 unknown graves, needed work as it was completely overgrown and had unleveled landscape due to the sinking of the caskets. The refurbishing project included clearing the overgrowth and importing soil to smooth out the land. Moreover, crosses, signifying the location of each casket, were replaced with new ones, said Palazzola. Mr. Ray Quattrini and members of Troop 63 assisted him.
Camden Louis Olivero
Camden is the son of Maria and John Olivero. His project consisted of improvements at Museum Village in Monroe by refurbishing the entire Pottery Building located there. Camden also installed new storage shelves and added a workspace in the Pottery Building to improve the workflow. His project was also made possible by the generous and gracious assistance of John McLoughlin.
Theodore A. RileyTheo is the son of Erika Reed and David Riley. He constructed and painted four custom-built benches for Museum Village in Monroe. “The benches, which are approximately four-feet long, are a little higher than other benches, making them more senior ‘friendly,’” said Riley. Mr. John McLoughlin once again provided generous assistance by designing the benches and donating equipment and materials.
As the ceremony drew to a close and the Retrieval of Colors was concluded, refreshments — to the enjoyment of everyone — were served.