Six Local Scouts Attain the Rank of Eagle

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RUMSON – “When I immigrated to this country from Ireland and attained my first job, my manager was an Eagle Scout,” said Jennifer Gallagher. “I came to greatly admire this man, and I decided that if I were someday blessed with a son I would want him to become an Eagle Scout.”
Gallagher’s wish, which she shared as part of her parent’s remarks during a recent ceremony, came true as her son Vincent received his Eagle Scout award in front of a crowd that included fellow Scouts, Scout leaders, parents, and distinguished guests.

Newly minted Eagle Scouts Vincent Gallagher and Robbie List display their merit badges and awards, including the Eagle Scout pin located on their left-hand pockets.
Newly minted Eagle Scouts Vincent Gallagher and Robbie List display their merit badges and awards, including the Eagle Scout pin located on their left-hand pockets.

 
During Boy Scout Troop 125’s Court of Honor, held Dec. 5 at Christ Church United Methodist in Fair Haven, Robert (Robbie) List was also awarded the Eagle Scout pin.
Earlier, in August, Shawn Chasmar, Brian Lenahan, William (Billy) Perkins, and Matthew (Matt) Valko also were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at an Eagle Court of Honor held on Aug. 3 at the Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven.
The six Scouts are Rumson-Fair Haven High School students and graduates and are affiliated with Boy Scout Troop 125, which is hosted by Christ Church United Methodist in Fair Haven.
Only about 7 percent of all Scouts across the nation earned Eagle Scout rank in 2012. Although this number seems low, it actually represents the highest percentage ever recorded.
The service project is a daunting undertaking that needs to be completed by the candidate’s 18th birthday. The project must be approved by a Boy Scout Board of Review and has to provide ample demonstration of a scout’s planning, organizational, and leadership skills.
Reciting the Scout Oath during their Eagle Scout Court of Honor are, from left, Billy Perkins, Matt Valko, Shawn Chasmar and Brian Lenahan.
Reciting the Scout Oath during their Eagle Scout Court of Honor are, from left, Billy Perkins, Matt Valko, Shawn Chasmar and Brian Lenahan.

 
Chasmar “gave back” to Christ Church United Metho­dist by building and installing four benches in the area in front of the church and around an existing fire pit. For his Eagle Project, Lenahan cleaned up and refurbished the parking lot at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Asbury Park. In addition to providing parking during church services, the lot is also used by the Asbury Park program of Covenant House for ice cream socials.
Perkins also “gave back” to troop host United Methodist by dedicating his resources to enhancing the area surrounding the church. He designed a meditative space in a garden on the church property, and led a group of volunteers to construct a gravel path leading to the area.
Valko’s Eagle Scout Project was the creation of a Nativity prayer garden at the Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven. The project, which was completed over the course of 13 weeks, provides parishioners with a quiet place to pray and reflect while enjoying the beauty of nature.
Gallagher lent a helping hand at the nursery, located in Fair Haven fields, where tree saplings are nurtured before being transplanted to other areas of the park and to nearby recreational areas. Super Storm Sandy had left the nursery in disarray, with scattered branches and overgrown weeds hampering its function. He cleared debris, weeded and created rows of planting beds. Approximately 300 tree saplings were planted, mulched and watered, replenishing the nursery with much-needed stock.
List constructed and installed bat boxes around Fair Haven Fields to help maintain a healthy ecosystem. Homes are often in short supply for bats that contribute to the local environment by ingesting large amounts of harmful insects.
During the Court of Honor ceremony, List also received a Bronze Palm Award, given to Eagle Scouts who earn five or more merit badges in addition to the 21 that are required for Eagle Scout. Robbie earned 27.
Chasmar, Gallagher and Lenahan are 2013 graduates of Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH).
Perkins and Valko are seniors and List is a junior at RFH.