SOMERS, N.Y. - Somers Troop 228 officially recognized seven new Eagle Scouts at a ceremony at the Amawalk Firehouse on Saturday, June 27.
The milestone honored the Scouts’ years of hard work, leadership, and service and was also a way to say thanks to parents, mentors, and troop leaders.
Eagle Scout is the highest and most prestigious rank attainable in the program.
Successfully completed the requirements for Eagle Scout, including significant community service projects for Somers and Putnam County, were: Matteo Goulart, James Maoriello, Connor O’Reilly, R.J. Peterson, Christian Lobasso, Lorenzo Viscogliosi, and Luca Viscogliosi.
According to Scoutmaster Steven Lobasso, their projects ranged from trail improvements and historical preservation to school beautification efforts, public safety enhancements, and community education initiatives.
“Collectively, these projects contributed hundreds of volunteer hours that will benefit the schools, parks, and historical organizations,” he said.
THE PROJECTS
Matteo Goulart’s Eagle Scout project involved the creation of a walking trail at Rhinoceros Creek, along with the construction and installation of two wooden benches.
The benches were strategically positioned to provide visitors with scenic views of the park, “offering a peaceful place to rest, reflect, and enjoy the natural surroundings,” Lobasso said.
A meaningful component of the project was the inclusion of a memorial dedicated to honoring and remembering those who lost their lives on 9/11.
The memorial “serves as a place of reflection and remembrance for park visitors and members of the community,” Lobasso said.
James Maoriello created a walking tour of the historic town of Somers. It includes four stops recommended by the Somers Historical Society; The Elephant Hotel, Bailey House, St. Luke’s Church and Ivandale Cemetery.
He also created a brochure that features a map and the sites on the tour, along with a QR code that links to a website that provides images and detailed history and information about each stop.
Lorenzo Viscogliosi restored and revitalized a courtyard at Somers High School for use by students, teachers, and staff. The area had become overgrown after not being maintained for several years.
The project created an outdoor classroom where teachers can conduct lessons and students can engage in educational activities outside the traditional classroom setting, Lobasso said.
Connor O’Reilly researched, planned, and installed a New York State historical marker in his community. After meeting with the Putnam County historian, he identified a location near the East Branch Reservoir where the marker could be placed.
It “highlights the history of the reservoir’s construction and its lasting impact on the surrounding communities and the town as a whole,” Lobasso said.
R.J. Peterson built and installed fencing along the front and side of Van Tassell Park, as well as the rear entrance of the Somers Police Department off Primrose Street, aka Route 139. It enhances the appearance of the park while providing a clear boundary around the property. The fence at the police department helps deter unauthorized parking and improves security around police vehicles.
“This project provides lasting benefits to the Somers community by improving both the aesthetics and safety of these important public facilities,” Lobasso said.
Christian Lobasso’s Eagle Scout project improved access and usability at Rhinoceros Creek by creating a new cut-through trail connecting an existing access road to the park’s main trail loop.
The project included clearing and blazing approximately 175 feet of trail, providing hikers with a more direct route and establishing a new trailhead.
To improve safety and accessibility, he also built two small trail bridges over wet and boggy sections of the trail, making the park more accessible and enjoyable for visitors while helping to preserve the natural environment.
Luca Viscogliosi’s project improved safety and accessibility along the Green Loop Trail at Rhinoceros Creek.
According to Lobasso, he led the construction of stairs on a steep section of the trail and a bridge over a wet, marshy area, making the trail safer and easier to navigate.
The project also included the removal of invasive plant species, helping native plants and trees thrive.
The improvements “enhanced the visitor experience while supporting the long-term health and preservation of the reservation,” Lobasso said.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here