Schools

Four Shore Regional Students Attain Rank of Eagle Scout

All four are members of Oceanport-based Boy Scout Troop

Four Shore Regional students have attained the rank of Eagle Scout.

In order to receive this rank the scouts must complete a community service project including its inception, planning, funding and supervision. The Scouts, Connor Feroce, James Lane, Michael McArdle and Andrew Smith, seniors at Shore, are all members of Troop 58, Oceanport.

Andrew’s project demonstrated planning and supervision on a community service project included installing a lighted sign that had recently been removed from the Oceanport Borough Hall, and place it in front of the Oceanport First-Aid building. This required him to apply for the electrical and building permits, as well as digging a trench for a direct burial cable and relocating an existing fence. With the help of materials donated by Cooper Electric and Lowes, the electrical skills of Mr. Frank Leslie and Mr. Anthony Malone, he was able to gather resources at no cost to the first aid squad. The first aid squad now has the means, with the new sign, to display messages about upcoming events.

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James’ project was to provide a nesting platform for osprey to nest within the Borough of Oceanport. He led other scouts and volunteers in building and putting up an osprey pole on Horseneck Point. The pole was built at his house and transported to the site. While working on installing the osprey pole, he had other scouts clean the surrounding area because it is not good to have marsh environments filled with debris.

The project is helpful to the town because it provides a spot for an endangered species to build a nest. The cleanup of litter and debris also made the area more appealing. Already in its first season, a pair of osprey has been seen nesting on the platform.

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Michael’s Eagle Scout project was to erect a memorial in the memory of Mr. James Kirk, a mentor and influential leader of Troop 58. The memorial was constructed at the Lutheran Church in West Long Branch and included a flagpole with brick pavers surrounding it in a circular pattern. All of the materials and supplies needed for the project were acquired through donations. Many of the present members of Troop 58 as well as past members were influenced by Kirk and through this experience gained many valuable life and leadership skills. Considering all the time and effort Mr. Kirk gave to the scouts, Michael’s project was a way of saying thank you.

Connor’s project was met with many challenges and changes along the way. Much work was completed at Blackberry Bay Basketball courts and dozens of man hours spent when Connor was informed the Borough had contacted a specialist to replace the court completely when unexpected money became available. The court was now going to be replaced with new backboards and supports, along with professional resurfacing instead of refurbished/repainted the way Connor planned.

He had already completed a lot of the work, including filling in the cracks, removing ties and replacing them with sod and planted grass seed. He now had to reevaluate his project and after working with his town council representative he decided to refocus his efforts toward another park and basketball court.

Trinity Park was also in need of a facelift and he painted lines for two full courts, refurbished the backboard and benches, similar to his plan at Blackberry. The town and neighborhood benefited by getting two needed renovations done at two different parks.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America. A scout who attains this rank is called and Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men. The title of Eagle Scout is held for life.

Requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and demonstrating scout spirit though the Boy Scout Oath and Law, service and leadership. It also includes an extensive service project that the scout plans, organizes, leads and manages.


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