Four Mahopac Troop 371 members earn Eagle Scout rank

Four members of Mahopac Scout Troop 371 were official conferred Eagle status during a Court of Honor at Mahopac Falls Volunteer Firehouse on Jan. 10.

Davin Barksdale earned the rank of Eagle Scout after completing a service project for the Veterans of Foreign Wars that addressed a need for safe kayak storage along the lake. Barksdale designed and built a rack capable of holding eight kayaks and led a team of Scouts in installing the structure and preparing a level platform landscaped with river rocks to match the surrounding area. The project required planning, construction and coordination and was completed to ensure long-term usability for the organization. A Mahopac High School graduate, Barksdale has extensive outdoor experience through Scouting, including a 2024 trek at Philmont Scout Ranch, and is studying mechanical engineering at the University at Buffalo.

Kevin Behrendt’s Eagle Scout service project focused on restoring elements of the historic American Legion Post 1080 building in Mahopac. The project included replacing the “Lake Mahopac” signage dating back to the building’s time as a train station, installing new benches on the back deck and repainting the outdoor flag collection box used by the community to retire American flags. Behrendt coordinated the planning and execution of the work, helping preserve the site’s historical character while improving its functionality. A Mahopac High School graduate and National Honor Society member, he is also active in community service through the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department and the Putnam County Youth Court.

Owen Klein completed his Eagle Scout service project by designing and constructing a permanent outdoor signboard for St. John the Evangelist Church, located alongside the Our Lady Queen of Angels Chapel. The signboard provides a central, visible location for parish announcements, event information and community updates. Klein planned and led every phase of the project, from design and material selection to construction and installation, addressing a long-standing communication need within the parish. A Mahopac High School graduate, Klein earned 64 merit badges during his Scouting career and is currently attending Buffalo State University.

Madelynn Behrendt’s Eagle Scout service project honored local first responders through the creation of a memorial at the Mahopac Falls Volunteer Fire Department. The memorial recognizes those who have served the Mahopac and Carmel area, including fire, EMS and law enforcement agencies. The completed site features a black granite monument with departmental emblems, a memorial pathway and a bench designed as a space for reflection. Behrendt oversaw the design and installation of the memorial while serving as a firefighter and EMT. A Mahopac High School graduate and National Honor Society member, she is studying physics and electrical engineering at the University at Buffalo.