Boy Scout Troop 5 Advances 33 Scouts; Three Achieve Eagle Rank

By Margaret Mager, Community Service Liaison, Bronxville Boy Scouts Troop 5

Jun. 22, 2016: Bronxville’s Boy Scout Troop 5 continues its strong Scouting tradition by advancing three troop members to Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest rank.

The three new Eagle Scouts are Tim Weir, James Tubridy, and Cameron Smith. These three Scouts bring the total number of Scouts reaching Eagle rank to 24 since 2010 and 64 since 1990. Only 6% of all Scouts in America achieve Eagle Scout per year.

In addition, former Troop 5 Scoutmaster Joe Landy was awarded the prestigious Silver Buffalo Award at the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) National Annual Meeting.

What is an Eagle Scout? From the 1938 Handbook for Scoutmasters, an Eagle Scout is “a young man who is qualified to help others as well as take care of himself. His badge is not a decoration, but rather a symbol of knowledge and ability.”

Becoming an Eagle Scout requires an enormous commitment, typically taking five to seven years to achieve and must be achieved before the age of 18. Eagle Scouts are required to complete 325 requirements, including at least 22 merit badges plus an Eagle Project. The project must be planned and executed by the Scout; it can involve 200 man-hours of work by a team of volunteers led by the Scout.

All three advancing Scouts’ Eagle Projects focused on facility and ground improvement projects. Tim Weir’s project benefitted the Ridge Park Reformed Church, Ridge Park, NJ; James Tubridy’s project benefitted the Humane Society of New Rochelle; and Cameron Smith’s project benefitted the Yonkers Animal Shelter.

During the Eagle Scout Court of Honor, the Scouts participate in a pinning ceremony that recognizes the support of the Scouts’ parents. Each parent is awarded an Eagle Scout pin. In addition, the new Eagle Scouts received a letter of recognition from President Barak Obama, a testimony to the outstanding achievement it is to become an Eagle Scout.

The journey to Eagle Scout moves up the ranks, starting with Scout and progressing through Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, to Eagle. Each rank has numerous requirements that must be achieved and signed off on by a board of review. There is also the Eagle Palm award that recognizes Eagle Scouts who continue to earn merit badges after reaching Eagle Scout rank.

On June 13, Troop 5 advanced eleven boys to Scout, four boys to Tenderfoot, four boys to Second Class, ten boys to First Class, and one to Life, and one received an Eagle Palm.

The advancing Scouts are:

Scout: Henry Amar, Wil Bender, Vieko Bentikaenan, Thomas DiGaetano, Keyle Kirchmann, Zach Kirchmann, Austin Lawless, John Rizzo, Hayes Romley, James Valdes, Albert VanNess.

Tenderfoot: Sebastien Proano, James Rohr, Luke Stinga, Isaiah Weir.

Second Class: Marco LaVecchia, Mac Layton, Andrew Mager, Billy Rizzo.

First Class: JP Denfeld, Michael Kryniczyn, Xavier Layton, Eric Modesitt, Jeffrey Modesitt, Tora Ozawa, James Rhee, David Stinga, Peter Vorbach, William Wallace.

Life: Tim Cushman.

Eagle Palm: Nick Poli.

The Court of Honor ceremony included the awarding of merit badges. Seventeen Scouts received a total of 47 merit badges. Demonstrating the range of skills and interests a Boy Scout is encouraged to develop, the merit badge awards included Personal Fitness, Law, Snow Sports, Chess, and First Aid. Obtaining a merit badge is typically a rigorous process requiring demonstrable knowledge and skill in the area of study. The purpose of the merit badge program is to allow Scouts to examine subjects to determine if they would like to further pursue them as a career or vocation.

Before closing the Court of Honor ceremony, Scoutmaster Kevin Taylor thanked Charlie Vorbach for his eleven years of service. Vorbach, who is stepping down from his position as Troop 5 committee chair, served Troop 5 for six years and was a leader in Cub Scouts for five years. The Troop 5 Scout Spirit Award went to Ben Mehler.

Taylor also recognized former Troop 5 Scoutmaster Joe Landy for receiving Scout’s highest commendation of the invaluable contributions that outstanding Americans make to youth. Created in 1925, the Silver Buffalo Award is the national-level distinguished service award of the Boy Scouts of America. It is presented for noteworthy and extraordinary service to youth on a national basis. The award is made by the National Court of Honor and was presented at the National Annual Meeting in San Diego in May.

As a leader in Boy Scouts of America (chair of the innovation committee), Landy was the driving force behind the STEM Scouts initiative, which offers the BSA an exciting and relevant new avenue to deliver Scouting values to more young people. He not only guided the program’s development through close personal involvement, but also provided the funding to make the initiative possible.

In his role as vice president for operations for the BSA, Landy oversaw the recent restructuring of the national professional staff and is directing the development of a new volunteer structure and operating procedures for the BSA.

Landy knows firsthand the local impact of national decisions. In the past decade, he has been active on the local level as a Scoutmaster and troop committee chair, national jamboree contingent leader, and Philmont adult advisor. A former Scout, Landy has received the Silver Beaver Award and the Unit Leader Award of Merit.

Landy holds a bachelor's degree in economics from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a master of business administration degree from the Leonard N. Stern School of Business at New York University. He is co-president and co-CEO of Warburg Pincus, a global private equity firm. Landy and his wife, Mary, have two Eagle Scout sons.

Pictured here (L to R): Top photo: Wil Bender (Scout), JP Denfeld (First Class), Isaiah Weir (Second Class), Tim Weir (Eagle), Jeffrey Modesitt (First Class), and Andrew Mager (Second Class); second photo (L to R): Eagle Scouts James Tubridy and Cameron Smith.

Photos by Margaret Mager, Community Service Liaison, Bronxville Boy Scouts Troop 5

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Community Service Organizations: Bronxville Beautification Council

Organized in 1982 and incorporated in 1993, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not for profit organization administered by a Board of Directors. Its mission is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of Bronxville Village, with emphasis on the downtown business district of Bronxville. The BBC uses the dollars raised in its annual spring solicitation letter to residents to fund the mum, tulip and summer flower plantings downtown and at traffic intersections, as well as the summer hanging baskets. Every few years the group spearheads such major endeavors as the renovation of Leonard Morange Square on the west side of the railroad tracks and the beautification of the Lawrence Hospital traffic circle, which included the addition of plants and the building of the fountain that now makes a gracious western portal to our town. The BBC also works with other civic groups to monitor the aesthetics of retail signage, the consistency of sidewalk materials, and litter and graffiti. During Beautify Bronxville Week, the BBC sponsors a poetry reading and works with Scout groups on the annual village clean-up. To learn more about how you can contribute to the efforts of the BBC, with time, money or planting, please email Karen Day. President: George C. McKinnis

Karen Day
karencday@aol.com
Bronxville Beautification Council
PO Box 127
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-779-6123

Bronxville Boy Scouts

The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”

There are several Boy Scout Troops in Bronxville, including Troops 1, 2, 4, and 5. Troops 1, 2, and 4 meet at the the Scout Cabin www.scoutcabin.org. Troop 5 meets at the Reformed Church, and has a different web site www.troop5.net . Brennan Carley is the Scoutmaster.

Joseph Stineman
President of Bronxville Scout Committee, Inc.
914-337-9091

Bronxvillle Girls Scouts

The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”

Bronxville Volunteer Director: Patricia Meyers
www.girlscoutswp.org
364 Gramatan Avenue
Mount Vernon, New York 10552-3294
914-699-2641

Bronxville Historical Conservancy

The Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded in 1998 to further the understanding and appreciation of the history and current life of the village. The Conservancy furthers its mission through the presentation of programs, publications, lectures and special events that foster an awareness of the village's architectural, artistic and cultural heritage, and lends its support for projects designed to strengthen and preserve those legacies. Anyone who is interested in the Bronxville and its history can become a member; varying levels of membership are available. Board of Director Co-Chairs: Jayne Warman and Robert Wein.

Bronxville Historical Conservancy
PO Box 989
Bronxville, New York 10708
www.bronxvillehistoricalconservancy.org

Bronxville League of Woman Voters

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that “encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues and influences public policy though education and advocacy. The Bronxville League serves Bronxville, Eastchester, Tuckahoe, Mount Vernon and Yonkers. Their primary duty is “voter service, registering new voters and keeping the public informed of important issues being considered and voted on by governing bodies.” They have monthly board meetings and monthly coffee meetings, where there is usually a speaker to talk about a current issue. They organize and moderate candidate forums for local government elections and periodically hold public meetings on a topic of interest with a guest speaker. They also put out a monthly bulletin. President: Adelaide DiGiorgi, Editor of Newsletter: Janet Jaidi

BronxvilleLeauge@aol.com
P.O. Box 321
Bronxville, New York 10708

Bronxville PTA

The Bronxville PTA is “the umbrella organization that presides over and is the primary source of funding for the Elementary, Middle and High School Councils. They raise money through their annual Memorial Day fundraiser and through PTA membership dues and provide approximately $100,000 to the Elementary, Middle and High School Councils. “Advocacy, education, training and support are their key areas of focus.”

president@bronxvillepta.org
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
www.bronxvillepta.org

Bronxville School Foundation

The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school. The Foundation raises money each year through donations from school families, community members, and alumni, among others.These contributions fund grants that provide cutting-edge technology, innovative programs and curriculum and other resources that are beyond the scope of public school funding.
For further information please contact: Executive Director, Peggy Williams (williamp@bronxville.k12.ny.us), Chairman, Pierre de Saint Phalle

177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0515
www.bronxvilleschoolfoundation.org

Bronxville Women’s Club

The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.

135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
www.bronxvillewomensclub.org

Bronxville Youth Council

The Bronxville Youth Council provides volunteer and leadership opportunities for high school students in the village of Bronxville. Director: Jillana Valente

bronxvilleyouthcouncil@yahoo.com
177 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-395-0500 ext 1789

Counseling Center

Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists. Director: Richard W. Shoup

The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org

Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe

The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.” Director: Tracy Rutherfurd

15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org

Friends of the Bronxville Library

The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library’s regular budget and perform other services. President: Nina Evison

914-793-3975

Junior League of Bronxville

The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”

info@jlbronxville.org
PO Box 430
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-5097
www.jlbronxville.org

Lawrence Hospital Center Volunteer Services

The Lawrence Hospital welcomes volunteers to help in a variety of areas including working the Bargain Box resale shop, which is “the major fundraising effort of the Lawrence Hospital Center Auxiliary.” Volunteers also work in the Emergency Department, at the Information services Desk, in Patient Care in Food Services and other areas. Director of Volunteer Services: Terry Marino

55 Palmer Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-787-3316
www.lawrencehealth.org/Services/volunteer.htm

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels delivers noon day meals to the homebound elderly, ill or disabled. Monday – Sunday 11am – 1p

55 Palmer Avenue
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914-787-3027

Rotary Club of Bronxville

The mission of the Rotary Club of Bronxville is to “encourage and foster the ideal of service as a basis of worthy enterprise and to encourage and foster (1) the development of friendships within the community as an opportunity for service, (2) high ethical standards in business and professions, (3) the application of the ideal of service of each member to his personal and business and community life and (4) the advancement of international understanding, good will and peace through a world fellowship.” President: David McBride

damcb@mac.com

Senior Citizens of Bronxville

Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment, to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”

Bronxville Director: Sue Tozzi
200 Pondfield Road
914-793-2222

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