Troop 154 soaring with 8 new Eagles

Scoutmaster Richard Perlman stands with  seven new Eagle Scouts of Troop 154 after their Court of Honor at the South Salem Presbyterian Church on Saturday, Nov. 29. From left, Marc Desforges, Denis Zapson, Lucas Oyen, Daniel Gomes, Scoutmaster Richard Perlman, Henry Dauterman, James Ronan, and Calvin Wein (Not pictured is Massi Marietti, who is studying abroad)

Troop 154 Goldens Bridge has honored eight young men who have attained Scouting’s highest rank, Eagle Scout.

Seven of the Scouts (one is studying abroad) were formally recognized Nov. 29 at an Eagle Court of Honor at South Salem Presbyterian Church. 

An Eagle Court of Honor is more than a graduation; it is the culmination of years of persistence, leadership and service, the troop noted. To reach this rank, a Scout must earn a minimum of 21 merit badges, serve in significant leadership roles within their troop, and successfully plan and execute a substantial community service project.

The ceremony was emceed by troop committee member and district merit badge dean, Carlos Torres, who guided attendees through the traditions of the event. Part of the program involved the Scouts explaining each lower rank and the requirements, symbolically retracing the long journey they undertook to the pinnacle of Eagle.

In addition to Scouts and their families, several local officials attended the ceremony, including County Legislator Erica Pierce, Lewisboro Deputy Supervisor Mary Shah and Pound Ridge Supervisor Kevin Hansan.

In an address, Scoutmaster Richard Perlman proudly announced the young men as Troop 154’s 48th through 55th Eagle Scouts. He shared personal stories of the boys’ adventures and experiences, recounting memorable moments from their challenging hikes and troop activities that shaped their character and leadership skills. It also was a milestone for Perlman, including the 35th Eagle Scout under his tenure.

State Sen. Pete Harckham presented proclamations to the Scouts prior to the event. The ceremony concluded with the delivery of the “Eagle Charge” — a challenge to live by the principles of the Eagle rank — delivered by Matthew Gomes, a fellow Eagle Scout alumnus of Troop 154.

The eight Scouts honored have made lasting contributions to Lewisboro and neighboring towns through their diverse service projects.

Four of the new Eagles already have begun college.

Daniel Gomes is currently attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he is studying robotics engineering and computer science. For his Eagle project, he addressed a need for the Lewisboro Veterans Advisory Committee. He constructed and installed two flag retirement deposit boxes, located at the Vista Fire Department and Lewisboro Town Hall, to ensure American flags are retired with proper dignity and respect.

Lucas Oyen is majoring in software engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology. He partnered with the Bedford Audubon Society for his Eagle project, where he renovated and improved a workspace and greenhouse, transforming them into functional learning environments for the community.

Denis Zapson is attending New York University, where he studies mathematics. His project, “John Jay Trails,” focused on the Katonah-Lewisboro School District and community grounds. He led a team to clean up, repair and remove hazards from the cross-country trails near John Jay High School and Middle School.

Massi Marietti is studying biochemistry at Lehigh University. His project involved installing a bird blind at the Bedford Audubon Society. This structure allows for undisturbed bird observation, which facilitates citizen science efforts and contributes to a broader restoration project aimed at protecting birds and their habitats.

The remaining four Eagle Scouts are currently completing their senior year of high school and are in the process of applying to colleges.

Henry Dauterman focused on sustainability for the Garden Club at Onatru Farm. He led construction of a three-bay composting system, allowing the club to divert organic waste and generate nutrient-rich soil for their community garden beds.

Marc Desforges led a conservation project for Ward Pound Ridge Reservation. To combat beech leaf disease, he oversaw the installation of a physical enclosure around a beech tree bank, protecting young saplings from predators to aid in the restoration of the tree population.

Calvin Wein executed a construction project for Congregation Shir Shalom in Ridgefield, Conn. He designed and built a customized storage shed for the preschool, providing critical infrastructure for the organization.

James Ronan led a restoration effort at the William K. Love Preserve in South Salem. His project involved constructing a 16-foot bridge over a stream, fabricating a bench for the trail, and remediating vandalism to preserve the natural beauty of the area.