The Housatonic Council of the Boy Scouts of America honored 31 Eagle Scouts on Monday, Jan. 4 at the Annual Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner at John J. Sullivan’s in Ansonia.
The Eagle Scout Award is Scouting’s highest recognition.
Eagle Scout William Schmitt of Troop 65, Seymour, served as master of ceremonies.
Eagle Scout Robert Hilliard, who received his Eagle Award in 1945 and the oldest Eagle in attendance, read a proclamation from Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell designating Jan. 4 as EAGLE SCOUT DAY IN THE LOWER NAUGATUCK VALLEY.
Rell commended the Eagles for their achievements and “the distinction that will follow them throughout life and will be a beacon to others of the leadership qualities and commitments these young men have shown.”
Copies of the proclamation were given to each Eagle Scout.
Eagle Scout Larry Janesky, of Troop 108, Bridgeport,and founder and president of Basemnent Systems in Seymour, was the guest speaker.
Janesky focused on what it meant in his life to be an Eagle Scout and how being an Eagle fit into the real world.
He related how it particularly affected his business relationships and what it means to conduct one’s life and business affairs according to the 12 points of the Scout Law which are prominently displayed in his firm’s headquarters office.
CW4 Walter Nizgorski, Army, Ret. with The Military Order of the World Wars, New Haven Chapter, presented each Eagle with a Certificate of Recognition for their achievement.
This marked the 12th year that Nizgorski has made such presentations.
The evening concluded with a candle light ceremony where each Eagle present repeated in unison The Eagle Scout Promise.
Organized in 1920, the Housatonic Council serves the five communities in the Lower Naugatuck Valley of Connecticut. They are Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.
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.
2009 Class of Eagle Scouts:
- James Flood, Troop 28, Shelton
- Doug Potter, Troop 105, Ansonia
- Michael Buttrick, Troop 28, Shelton
- James Anderson, Troop 3, Derby
- Adarsh Salian, Troop 3, Derby
- Christopher Wentz, Troop 3, Derby
- Zachary Krugel, Troop 101, Shelton
- Robert Yamnicky, Troop 28, Shelton
- Jordan Piscitelli, Troop 28, Shelton
- Kevin Zrelak, Troop 11, Seymour
- Andrew Sheldon, Troop 28, Shelton
- Stephen Miller, Troop 27, Shelton
- Alexander Neuendorf, Troop 3, Derby
- Christopher Toal, Troop 55, Shelton
- Raymond Veillette, Troop 3, Derby
- Matthew Frovarp, Troop 3, Derby
- Christopher Townsend, Troop 3, Derby
- Matthew Poppa, Troop 3, Derby
- Patrick Severson, Troop 1, Oxford
- Charles Mojcik, Troop 55, Shelton
- Mackenzie Thompson, Troop 3, Derby
- Timothy Stankye, Troop 3, Derby
- Brian Mezzapelle, Troop 3, Derby
- John Campoli, Troop 3, Derby
- Thomas Keegan, Troop 28, Shelton
- Lawrence Blees, Troop 1, Oxford
- Michael Tracz, Troop 3, Derby
- Adam Patrick, Troop 101, Shelton
- Thomas Mingrone, Troop 27, Shelton
- Ryan Roussel Troop 3, Derby
- Nicholas Hollis, Troop 65, Oxford
