
By Margaret Mager, Community Service Liaison, Bronxville Boy Scout Troop 5
Jun. 27, 2018: On Monday, June 18, two members of Bronxville's Boy Scout Troop 5 advanced to Eagle Scout, the highest rank possible in Boy Scouts, along with 14 other advancements.
A Court of Honor ceremony was held at The Reformed Church of Bronxville to recognize the journey each Scout has taken and to officially advance Kenny Taylor and Clay Layton to the rank of Eagle.
These two young men join a very elite group—only six percent of all Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle, according to Scouting magazine. Since Troop 5 was officially re-chartered in 1990 by Scoutmaster Ray Pfeister, 77 boys have achieved Eagle. This is a testimony to the strength and commitment of the boys, the adult leadership, and the parents of Troop 5.
Becoming an Eagle Scout is a journey of commitment, learning, skill, and leadership. In Scouting, the path to Eagle typically begins at the age of ten or eleven, usually takes five to seven years to achieve, and must be completed before the age of eighteen. There are 325 requirements to become an Eagle Scout, including thirteen Eagle and nine elective merit badges, and completion of an Eagle Project.
The Eagle Project is a service project conceived of, 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 by groups of 20 or more volunteers managed by the Scout. As Joe Landy noted during his remarks on What It Takes to Become an Eagle Scout: "To quote 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.

Joseph Landy
The Eagle Court of Honor was well attended by parents, friends, family members, troop members, and many other supporters of the advancing Scouts, including the past Troop 5 Scoutmaster, retired executive board member of the Boy Scouts of America and Silver Buffalo award recipient Joseph Landy. Mr. Landy praised the new Eagle Scouts on their achievement and encouraged them to live the Scout Law, show leadership in life, and continue to give back to their communities. As Mr. Landy administered the Eagle Scout Oath to the new Eagle Scouts for the first time, Kenny and Clay stood together with all attending Eagles.
Kenny Taylor's Eagle Project focused on blazing trails and creating a trail map in Sprain Ridge Park in Yonkers, a project that was conceived of while he rode his mountain bike in the park. Clay Layton's project involved cleaning and organizing several food pantries at the CSA Soup Kitchen in Mount Vernon, a place where Clay had volunteered on numerous occasions to make and serve meals over his years in Boy Scouts.

L to R: James Rohr (Star), Isaiah Weir (First Class), Edward Phillips (Star), Hudson Schnier (First Class), and Dev Tarwala (Second Class).
A standard Court of Honor was also held on June 18, where fourteen Scouts achieved rank advancements. JP Denfeld, Eric Modesitt, and Jeffrey Modesitt advanced to Life Scout, Edward Phillips and James Rohr advanced to Star Scout, Hudson Schnier, Isaiah Weir, and Luke Stinga advanced to First Class Scout, Hunter Denfeld, Austin Lawless, Dev Tarwala, Will Tinson, and Toshi Odaira advanced to Second Class Scout, and Charlie Hodulik advanced to Tenderfoot Scout. In addition, 15 Merit Badges were awarded, including Citizenship in the Community and the World, Architecture, Music, Railroading, Emergency Preparedness, Family Life, Firem'n Chit, and Cooking among others. One Scout, Edward Phillips, completed the prestigious National Youth Leadership Training.
Andrew Mager, Jeffrey Modesitt, Eric Modesitt, and Michael Krajniczyn acted as masters of ceremony for the Court of Honor. Karsten Schnier was master of ceremony for the Eagle ceremony. Luke Stinga shared an opening prayer for both. It was announced that Scoutmaster Kevin Taylor is stepping down after five years of leading the troop, spurring a lengthy standing ovation. Jon Denfeld was named Scoutmaster.
Pictured at top: Eagle Scouts Kenny Taylor (L) and Clay Layton.
Photos by Margaret Mager
Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes press releases, statements, and articles from local institutions, officeholders, candidates, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed therein do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.

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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Bronxville, New York 10708
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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.
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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
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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.”
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Bronxville, New York 10708
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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.”