Alexander Dallendorfer, Cian Merluccio & John Rizzo

By Viktoria Dallendorfer and Niamh Hartnett Merluccio, Troop 5 Eagle Scout Parents

May 3, 2023: On Saturday, March 18, 2023, three Scouts from Bronxville Troop 5 - Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Alexander Dallendorfer, a Sophomore at Bronxville High School, John Rizzo and Cian Merluccio, both Seniors at Bronxville High School were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony held at The Reformed Church of Bronxville, Troop 5’s sponsor.

All three of these fine young men have been Scouts for many years; Alexander and John moved up the ranks in Cub Scouts and then onto Boy Scouts, with Cian joining as a Boy Scout. As members of the Eagle Scout Class of 2022 (Alexander and John) and Class of 2023 (Cian), together they joined this prestigious group of Eagle Scouts.

What does it take to Become an Eagle Scout?

Earning the Eagle rank is the greatest achievement of a Boy Scout and is only earned by 4% of Scouts, and it must be completed before turning 18. The Eagle Scout rank is highly respected beyond the Boy Scouts for the challenges, dedication and achievements required and is a recognition of young leaders who have gone above and beyond to help others in their community. It represents the kind of character that is built through companionship, responsibility and self-improvement and requires commitment and planning spanning over several years and hundreds of hours.

To earn the rank of Eagle, each of these young men had to complete 325 requirements, earn at least 21 merit badges, fulfill leadership roles, display outdoor skills, and finally plan, lead and execute an Eagle Service Project which serves the community. The project is funded through donations and organized and executed under the leadership of the Eagle Scout candidate. Each service project is subject to a rigorous approval process at district levels, which is followed by a Scout Master Conference and finally a Board of Review before being awarded the rank of Eagle by the National BSA.

Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony

The well-attended Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony (also known as a Grand Court of Honor) was held in the Sanctuary of The Reformed Church and reflected the contributions and leadership of the three new Eagle Scouts. It was attended by U.S. Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY District 16), together with Bronxville Village Trustee, William C. Fredricks.

Acting as Master of Ceremony was Roan Merluccio, a Life Scout, brother of Eagle Scout Cian Merluccio. Reverend Dr. Matthew Waterstone (Pastor Matt), the Senior Minister at the Reformed Church of Bronxville, shared some words of wisdom for the Eagle Scouts and led an opening prayer. Mr. Jon Denfeld, past Scout Master of Troop 5, then reviewed scouting’s history in Bronxville, which spans over 90 years, including its most famous scout, President John F. Kennedy, who was a Scout in Troop 2 in Bronxville 1929-31. This was followed by Scout Master Mr. Andi Anderson who spoke about “What It Means to be an Eagle Scout”.

The Eagle Scout Charge was given by Billy Rizzo, a Troop 5 Eagle Scout and brother of Eagle Scout John Rizzo. Troop Committee Chair Mr. Peter Phillips conducted the pinning ceremony, with the help of each Eagle Scout’s parents. Assistant Scoutmaster for Advancement, Angelo Merluccio, presented several awards to the Eagle Scouts and Algonquin District Representative Mr. Mark Schivley also presented awards from the district.

In addition to the Eagle award, each new Eagle Scout were presented with gifts from Troop 5, including a United States flag that has been flown in their respective names over the U.S. Capitol Building, at the request of U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. They also each received an Eagle Scout scrapbook with letters of recognition from Scouting, higher education leaders and political leaders, including President Joseph R. Biden, past U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, and William J. Clinton.

The Eagle Scouts and their Eagle Service Projects

Below is an overview of each new Eagle Scout’s Eagle Service Project.

Alexander Dallendorfer: Alexander joined Troop 5 from Pack 5 Cub Scouts where he earned the Arrow of Light. In Troop 5, Alexander served as Chaplain’s Aid, Assistant Patrol Leader and Patrol Leader. He also designed Troop 5’s 30^th Anniversary Patch. For his Eagle Service Project, he created a Food Pantry benefitting The Reformed Church of Bronxville; converting and renovating an existing space in the church and organizing a food drive to support the church’s long history of mission in the Southern Westchester communities.

John Rizzo: John joined Troop 5 from Pack 5  where he earned the Arrow of Light achievement. In Troop 5, John served as Assistant Patrol Leader in 2021 and he will be serving as Assistant Scout Master for the rest of this year. John’s Eagle Service Project was designing, funding and planting a native pollinator garden benefitting the Bronxville Dog Park (Alfredo Field); bolstering the population of important pollinator insects allowing for the ecosystem around them to thrive, while preventing unintentional spread of invasive species. John worked under the guidance and encouragement of Ben Lentz, a longtime BXV resident who has led the beautification of the field by working with other Boy Scouts, the Bronxville Middle School and other neighbors and friends.

Cian Merluccio: Cian joined Troop 5 as a Boy Scout in 2018. In Troop 5, Cian served as Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader and he attended summer camp at Camp Read multiple times, including serving as Senior Patrol Leader. Cian’s Eagle Service Project was building a boot brush cleaning station benefitting the Westchester Park’s Foundation; preventing mitigation damage done by invasive species by cleaning off hikers’ boots. Cian raised $750 in donations towards his project.

Bronxville Troop 5 is an active Troop with so many engaging and fun activities, we would encourage any child interested in being part of our Troop to please come to a meeting and see first-hand the value of being a Boy Scout. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.