Troop 73 White Plains Presents Rank of Eagle to Three Scouts
During an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony held on March 29 at Our Lady of Sorrows School, Troop 73 White Plains presented the rank of Eagle to Theodore Michael Chomiak, Brian David LaPlaca and Scott Tung Louis. The three boys began their scouting journey in Pack 5 as Tiger Cubs in a den led by the late Catherine Sheldon Dagher.
Achieving the rank of Eagle requires the scout to earn 21 merit badges and demonstrate character, fitness, leadership and citizenship in every facet of their scouting life. The signature requirement of earning the Eagle rank is the service project, which requires the scout to plan and develop a mission that is helpful to a religious institution, school or the scout’s community. The scout leads others in the successful completion of the project.
Chomiak’s Eagle Scout Leadership Project involved the planning and building of an information kiosk to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Kensico Dam and Quarry. He worked closely with the curator of Cranberry Lake Preserve in every facet of the planning and design of the kiosk and procured the necessary building materials through donations from The Home Depot.
Over the course of several weeks, Chomiak led a group of 15 scouts, friends, family and troop leaders in the building and installation of the kiosk. They also worked to pick up trash and clear debris and vines from the quarry and trails. As a result of Chomiak’s project, visitors will be educated about the rich history of the area and programs offered by the Nature Center will be more accessible.
At the ceremony, Chomiak, a senior at White Plains High School recollected: “My years in scouting gave me memories that will last a lifetime and experiences that have helped me grow as a person.”
LaPlaca’s Eagle Scout Leadership Project consisted of collecting new and lightly used shoes and preparing them for shipment to Soles-4-Souls, a non-profit organization, which transports shoes to homeless shelters along the east coast. With help from the City of White Plains Mayor’s office and Parks and Recreation staff, he organized many drop off locations for shoes including Ebersole Ice Rink. He led a group of volunteers in tying up pairs of shoes and placing boxes of shoes on pallets for shipment. The 4004 pairs of shoes collected by LaPlaca and the City of White Plains have helped thousands of people in need obtain proper footwear as well as raise awareness for people who lack the means to purchase footwear.
LaPlaca, a senior at White Plains High School noted: “The journey to becoming an Eagle Scout taught me lessons that will stick with me for the rest of my life.”
Louis’ Eagle Scout Leadership Project involved collecting backpacks and assorted school supplies for economically disadvantaged teenagers in Grace Church Community Center’s (GCCC) After-School Mentoring Program. Located in White Plains, GCCC aids the homeless and those having economic troubles. He requested donations of backpacks and school supplies from friends, family, fellow church members and customers at the Staples store in White Plains. In total, Louis collected 107 backpacks, 321 notebooks, 214 two-pocket folders, 1,284 pencils, 771 pens, and 107 $10 Staples gift cards. Assisted by fellow scouts and friends, he assembled the school supplies and delivered them to the teens in the After-School Mentoring Program.
After receiving the rank of Eagle, Louis, a senior at White Plains High School stated: “I would never have been able to do half the things l have done were it not for scouting. Boy Scouts gives kids opportunities to participate in events and activities that would be extremely difficult to find otherwise.”
Formed in 1955, Troop 73 meets weekly at Highlands Middle School. For more information please visit our website:www.troop73bsa.com
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.
