Highest Scout Honors Presented to John Henry Buzzard

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Highest Scout Honors Presented to John Henry Buzzard

Troop 73-White Plains Presents Rank of Eagle and the Presidential Service Award

White Plains, NY, March 15, 2015: An Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony was held on Sunday, March 15, 2015 at Our Lady of Sorrows School during which Troop 73 White Plains presented the rank of Eagle, the highest honor within the Boy Scouts of America, to John Henry Buzzard.

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 in which the scout plans, develops, and provides leadership to others in a mission that is helpful to a religious institution, school or the scout’s community.

John was recognized for his project of designing and constructing a 20x20 foot square patio space within the Student Garden at the New York School for the Deaf (NYSD, 555 Knollwood Rd, White Plains, NY 10607). The Student Garden grows over 2000 pounds of vegetables annually for the Food Bank of Westchester. The patio will serve as a shady spot where student gardeners can rest and communicate.

The project was built over a two day period in October, 2014 by the scouts & adults from Troop 73 and friends from Iona Preparatory School. The plot was cleared of grass and weeds and a framework was built from pressure treated lumber. The four seating areas have all-season benches made of recycled plastic bottles and allow NYSD students & faculty to sit facing each other to communicate using American Sign Language (ASL). Porous materials (gravel and rubber mulch) were used to promote drainage and to keep the area dry. The patio can be used as a classroom space as well as a rest area. It was designed and constructed to be a permanent structure and provide decades of use to the students and faculty of NYSD.

John also received the Gold Presidential Volunteer Service Award which is authorized by The President’s Office and is given to youth and adults who volunteer 100 or more hours in a 12-month period in one of the six key focus areas.

In addition to family, friends and scouts and leaders of Troop 73, several elected officials were in attendance to recognize the achievements of John Buzzard: White Plains Mayor Tom Roach, White Plains Council President Beth Smayda, Westchester County Legislator Ben Boykin and State Assemblywoman Amy Paulin. Rudy Rodriguez of the New York School of the Deaf was also on hand to congratulate John.

It is the ongoing mission of White Plains Boy Scout Troop 73 to provide opportunities for Scouts to learn and develop leadership skills through a full and varied Scouting program featuring extensive outdoor activities and hands-on instruction in numerous life-skills. Formed in 1955, Troop 73 meets weekly at Highlands Middle School. For more information please visit our website: www.troop73bsa.com

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Please contact Beth Roach, 914.393.6115, for images or further information.