Alexander Dallendorfer, John Rizzo and Cian Merluccio Achieve the Rank of Eagle Scout
Alexander Dallendorfer, Cian Merluccio & John Rizzo
By Viktoria Dallendorfer and Niamh Hartnett Merluccio, Troop 5 Eagle Scout Parents
May 3, 2023: On Saturday, March 18, 2023, three Scouts from Bronxville Troop 5 - Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Alexander Dallendorfer, a Sophomore at Bronxville High School, John Rizzo and Cian Merluccio, both Seniors at Bronxville High School were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony held at The Reformed Church of Bronxville, Troop 5’s sponsor.
All three of these fine young men have been Scouts for many years; Alexander and John moved up the ranks in Cub Scouts and then onto Boy Scouts, with Cian joining as a Boy Scout. As members of the Eagle Scout Class of 2022 (Alexander and John) and Class of 2023 (Cian), together they joined this prestigious group of Eagle Scouts.
What does it take to Become an Eagle Scout?
Earning the Eagle rank is the greatest achievement of a Boy Scout and is only earned by 4% of Scouts, and it must be completed before turning 18. The Eagle Scout rank is highly respected beyond the Boy Scouts for the challenges, dedication and achievements required and is a recognition of young leaders who have gone above and beyond to help others in their community. It represents the kind of character that is built through companionship, responsibility and self-improvement and requires commitment and planning spanning over several years and hundreds of hours.
To earn the rank of Eagle, each of these young men had to complete 325 requirements, earn at least 21 merit badges, fulfill leadership roles, display outdoor skills, and finally plan, lead and execute an Eagle Service Project which serves the community. The project is funded through donations and organized and executed under the leadership of the Eagle Scout candidate. Each service project is subject to a rigorous approval process at district levels, which is followed by a Scout Master Conference and finally a Board of Review before being awarded the rank of Eagle by the National BSA.
Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony
The well-attended Eagle Court of Honor Ceremony (also known as a Grand Court of Honor) was held in the Sanctuary of The Reformed Church and reflected the contributions and leadership of the three new Eagle Scouts. It was attended by U.S. Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY District 16), together with Bronxville Village Trustee, William C. Fredricks.
Acting as Master of Ceremony was Roan Merluccio, a Life Scout, brother of Eagle Scout Cian Merluccio. Reverend Dr. Matthew Waterstone (Pastor Matt), the Senior Minister at the Reformed Church of Bronxville, shared some words of wisdom for the Eagle Scouts and led an opening prayer. Mr. Jon Denfeld, past Scout Master of Troop 5, then reviewed scouting’s history in Bronxville, which spans over 90 years, including its most famous scout, President John F. Kennedy, who was a Scout in Troop 2 in Bronxville 1929-31. This was followed by Scout Master Mr. Andi Anderson who spoke about “What It Means to be an Eagle Scout”.
The Eagle Scout Charge was given by Billy Rizzo, a Troop 5 Eagle Scout and brother of Eagle Scout John Rizzo. Troop Committee Chair Mr. Peter Phillips conducted the pinning ceremony, with the help of each Eagle Scout’s parents. Assistant Scoutmaster for Advancement, Angelo Merluccio, presented several awards to the Eagle Scouts and Algonquin District Representative Mr. Mark Schivley also presented awards from the district.
In addition to the Eagle award, each new Eagle Scout were presented with gifts from Troop 5, including a United States flag that has been flown in their respective names over the U.S. Capitol Building, at the request of U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. They also each received an Eagle Scout scrapbook with letters of recognition from Scouting, higher education leaders and political leaders, including President Joseph R. Biden, past U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter, George W. Bush, and William J. Clinton.
The Eagle Scouts and their Eagle Service Projects
Below is an overview of each new Eagle Scout’s Eagle Service Project.
Alexander Dallendorfer: Alexander joined Troop 5 from Pack 5 Cub Scouts where he earned the Arrow of Light. In Troop 5, Alexander served as Chaplain’s Aid, Assistant Patrol Leader and Patrol Leader. He also designed Troop 5’s 30th Anniversary Patch. For his Eagle Service Project, he created a Food Pantry benefitting The Reformed Church of Bronxville; converting and renovating an existing space in the church and organizing a food drive to support the church’s long history of mission in the Southern Westchester communities.
John Rizzo: John joined Troop 5 from Pack 5 where he earned the Arrow of Light achievement. In Troop 5, John served as Assistant Patrol Leader in 2021 and he will be serving as Assistant Scout Master for the rest of this year. John’s Eagle Service Project was designing, funding and planting a native pollinator garden benefitting the Bronxville Dog Park (Alfredo Field); bolstering the population of important pollinator insects allowing for the ecosystem around them to thrive, while preventing unintentional spread of invasive species. John worked under the guidance and encouragement of Ben Lentz, a longtime BXV resident who has led the beautification of the field by working with other Boy Scouts, the Bronxville Middle School and other neighbors and friends.
Cian Merluccio: Cian joined Troop 5 as a Boy Scout in 2018. In Troop 5, Cian served as Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader and he attended summer camp at Camp Read multiple times, including serving as Senior Patrol Leader. Cian’s Eagle Service Project was building a boot brush cleaning station benefitting the Westchester Park’s Foundation; preventing mitigation damage done by invasive species by cleaning off hikers’ boots. Cian raised $750 in donations towards his project.
Bronxville Troop 5 is an active Troop with so many engaging and fun activities, we would encourage any child interested in being part of our Troop to please come to a meeting and see first-hand the value of being a Boy Scout. 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.
Community Service Organizations Directory
HOME & GARDEN
Bronxville Beautification Council
Organized in 1982, the Bronxville Beautification Council (BBC) is a not-for-profit organization administered by a volunteer Board of Directors. The mission of the BBC is to enhance and maintain the natural and man-made beauty of the village of Bronxville, with an emphasis on the downtown business district.
Click here to learn more
Boulder Ledge Garden Club
Founded in 1966, the Boulder Ledge Garden Club is rooted in a mission to inspire a deeper appreciation and love for gardening and flower arranging. The club is dedicated to fostering and promoting interest and knowledge in gardening.
The Club maintains Bronxville’s Bicentennial Park and other civic gardens. In 2019–2020 the club raised $18,000 to replace trees in the village, reflecting its active role in community beautification. It also holds garden therapy projects and educational garden trips for members.
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Bronxville Giving Garden
The Bronxville Giving Garden is a community-centered garden that donates organic produce to Eastchester Community Action Partnership in Tuckahoe and Community Service Associates in Mount Vernon. The garden is also a gathering place where school children and volunteers can discover the joy of tending plants and growing food.
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Bronxville Green Committee
The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. It proposes and implements environmentally sustainable programs in our community.
You can contact them HERE.
SCOUTING
Bronxville Boy Scouts
The village of Bronxville has a long tradition of scouting. “The troops and packs of Bronxville have maintained the finest scouting organizations and have taught the boys of the Bronxville area to be leaders and outstanding members of the local, national and global communities.”
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information
Bronxville Girls Scouts
The Girls Scouts is “the world’s preeminent organization dedicated solely to girls where, in an accepting and nurturing environment, girls build character and skills for success in the real world.” In Girl Scouts, “girls discover the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Through the many enriching experiences provided by Girl Scouts, they can grow courageous and strong.”
Here is more information about girl scouts.
HISTORY
Bronxville Historical Conservancy
Inspired by the highly successful Bronxville Centennial Celebration in 1998, the Bronxville Historical Conservancy was founded to record and preserve Bronxville's history and life in the village today.
BRONXVILLE SCHOOL
Bronxville School Foundation
The Bronxville School Foundation, founded in 1991, is a non-profit organization independent from the school with the sole purpose of supporting the school.
The mission of the Bronxville School Foundation is to enhance the quality of public education in our community by engaging the support and energies of educators, citizens, parents, students and alumni.
The Foundation awards grants for projects
CLICK HERE to learn more.
LECTURES, EXHIBITS, CONCERTS
Bronxville Women's Club
The Bronxville Women’s Club offers lectures, exhibits and concerts. It also has a beautiful clubhouse which is available for rental for events.
135 Midland Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3252
Concordia Conservatory
Concordia Conservatory, a preeminent center for music education in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, is a welcoming community where children and adults find lifelong inspiration and joy through learning, performing, listening to, and participating with others in music.
The Conservatory’s mission is to inspire, instruct, and enrich lives through music offering excellence in education and performance.
CLICK HERE for more information.
COUNSELING
Counseling Center
Founded in 1971, the mission of the Counseling Center “is to provide a wide range of psychotherapeutic and counseling services to individuals, couples and families by a staff of highly trained, experience and dedicated psychotherapists.
The Counseling Center
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-3388
www.counselingcenter.org
SERVICE & VOLUNTEERISM
Community Fund of Bronxville, Eastchester & Tuckahoe
The mission of the Community Fund is “to support broad social services in Bronxville 10708, Eastchester and Tuckahoe through grants and technical support to local agencies and community projects. All money raised here in our community stays here in our community.”
15 Park Place
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-8808
www.thecommunityfund.org
Junior League of Bronxville
The Junior League of Bronxville is “an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable.”
Rotary Club of Bronxville
The Rotary Club of Bronxville is part of a national network of 1.25 million problem-solvers. They see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
READING & LEARNING
Friends of the Bronxville Library
The Friends of the Bronxville Library is a not-for-profit membership association whose mission is to focus attention on the “Library’s services, facilities and needs” as well as sponsor projects and provide materials that are beyond the reach of the Library's regular budget and perform other services.
SENIORS
Gramatan Village
Gramatan Village is a unique community model offering programs, services and social connections that help members continue to live independently in their homes as they age. In addition, GV offers one-on-one consultations and counseling with our experienced staff to guide members through life’s transitions.
Senior Citizens of Bronxville
Senior Citizens of Bronxville is a not-for-profit organization that provides services and programs to seniors within the 10708 zip code area. “Programs cover a wide range of activities from educational seminars and cultural enrichment to community services, bridge classes and exercise.”
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