Troop 5 Eagle Scout Tim Cushman Reaches Highest Rank in Scouting
By Margaret Mager, Community Service Liaison, Bronxville Boy Scout Troop 5
Apr. 10, 2019: On Sunday, March 24, Bronxville resident Tim Cushman advanced to Eagle Scout, the highest rank possible in Boy Scouts. An Eagle Court of Honor ceremony was held at The Reformed Church.
Eagle Scouts are an elite group—only four percent of all Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle. Since Troop 5 was officially re-chartered in 1990 by then Scoutmaster Ray Pfeister, who was in attendance, 78 members have achieved Eagle, with 38 reaching Eagle since 2010. Boasting three generations of Eagle Scouts, the Cushmans are a particularly dedicated Scout family. In attendance was John C. Cushman, III, Tim’s grandfather, past national president (2004-2006) of the Boy Scouts of America.
Becoming an Eagle Scout is a journey of commitment, learning, skill, and leadership. In Scouting, the path to Eagle typically takes five to seven years to achieve and must be completed before the age of 18. There are 325 requirements to become an Eagle Scout, including an Eagle Project. Attaining Eagle is a testimony to the strength and commitment of the Scout, the adult leadership, and the family of every Eagle Scout.
The Eagle Project is a service project conceived of and planned, funded, organized, and executed under the leadership of the Eagle Scout candidate. An Eagle Scout service project can take months to plan and easily exceed 200 man-hours of work with groups of 20 or more volunteers managed by the Scout.
Tim’s Eagle project was to rebuild a greenhouse and refurbish dilapidated garden beds at the Children’s Village in Dobbs Ferry. Tim noted in his remarks, “I contacted twelve organizations before I found the perfect project and received approvals from the Children’s Village and the Westchester Boy Scout Council. I was surprised by this. It took more time than I expected to organize the project. In the end, it was a big success and very gratifying to see the new greenhouse.”
The Children’s Village was founded in 1851. Today it serves more than 10,000 children and families each year, helping society’s most vulnerable children become educationally proficient, economically productive, and socially responsible members of their communities.
The Eagle Scout Court of Honor was well attended by parents, friends, family members including all of Tim’s grandparents, troop members, and many other supporters. Jason Cushman, Tim’s brother, spoke about what it takes to become an Eagle. Rich Stockton, Westchester Scout executive, administered the Eagle Scout Oath and pronounced Tim an Eagle Scout. Assistant Scoutmaster Ron Mager conducted the pinning and neckerchief ceremonies, while Assistant Scoutmaster Vince LaVecchia acknowledged the many adult leaders supporting Troop 5 now and in the past. Scoutmaster Jon Denfeld said, “An Eagle Scout has learned discipline and teamwork and how to apply them in his daily living. He has perseverance and determination; he must if he is to attain Eagle rank.”
One of the highlights of the ceremony was Troop 5’s gift to its new Eagle Scout--a version of what the Scout Law’s twelve points mean to Tim’s fellow Scouts in their own words. This was presented by several Troop 5 members: Giovanni LaVecchia (historical overview); Andrew Mager (trustworthy, obedient); JP Denfeld (loyal, cheerful); Will Tinson (helpful, thrifty); Edward Phillips (friendly, brave); Marco LaVecchia (courteous, clean); and Hunter Denfeld (kind, reverent). Ben Mehler acted as master of ceremonies, Andrew Mager conducted the Pledge of Allegiance, Will Tinson led the Scout Oath, the Reverend Michael Bird from Christ Church shared an opening prayer, Hudson Schnier, Aiden Olivari, and Hunter Denfeld performed Color Guard duties, and Jeffrey Modesitt played reveille and taps on the bugle to open and close the ceremony.
In addition, the troop gave Tim an Eagle scrapbook to hold letters and certificates from dignitaries and other Eagle memorabilia. Tim has received letters, with more to come, from United States Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush, NY Senator Chuck Schumer, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Mayor Mary Marvin, Olympic Gold Medalist Michael Phelps, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Joseph Dunford, Jr, Commanding Officer US Navy EC Doyle, Lieutenant General US Army Robert Caslen, Jr, Colonel US Army & Admission Director West Point Deborah McDonald, and Brigadier General US Air Force Edward Thomas, Jr, and certificates from NASA and the National Park Service.
Pictured here (L to R): Chip Cushman, Tim Cushman, Tammy Cushman.
Photo courtesy the Cushman family
Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.
Community Service Organizations Directory
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
Click here to learn more
Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
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Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
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Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
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.”
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Bronxville 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.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
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 mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
CLICK HERE to learn more.
LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
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
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNSELING
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.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
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.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
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.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
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.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
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.”
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