PARSIPPANY — At the Eagle Scout Court of Honor for David Lewis Dodd III, and Michael Gaudio on Sunday, April 29, David and Michael were presented with the highest advancement of Boy Scouts, the “Eagle Scout.”
The Eagle Scout Award is Scouting’s highest rank and among its most familiar icons. Men who have earned it count it among their most treasured possessions. Those who missed it by a whisker remember exactly which requirement they didn’t complete. Americans from all walks of life know that being an Eagle Scout is a great honor. The award is more than a badge. It’s a state of being. The Eagle Scout may have received the badge as a boy, but you earn it every day as a man. In the words of the Eagle Scout Promise, they do your best each day to make their training and example, their rank and their influence count strongly for better Scouting and for better citizenship in the troop, in their community, and in their contacts with other people. And to this they pledge their sacred honor.
The pathway to Eagle can be described as a steep trail leading up to three peaks, the highest being that of Eagle Scout. Officially, the trail starts with the Tenderfoot rank and continues through Second and First Class ranks. Then, the mountain climbing begins. The path is marked with merit badges, leadership responsibilities, service projects, and the practice of Scouting skills and ideals. The first peak reached is that of Star Scout, the second is Life Scout, and, finally, Eagle Scout.
Michael Gaudio
Michael began his Scouting experience in 2006 when he joined Cub Scout Pack 5 based out of lntervale School. He joined Troop 173 in 2011 after receiving his Arrow of Light award. He advanced to 1st Class quickly with the help of his Scoutmasters, John Worthington and Les Wu.
As a member of Troop 173, Michael held several leadership positions. The first position he held was Troop Historian for two years. In this position, his responsibility was to take pictures and document the various troop activities as well as present slide show presentation at the troop court of honors. During the same timeframe, he also held the positions of Assistant Patrol Leader and Troop Instructor. The next position he held was Patrol Leader after completing his National Youth Leader Training. The final position he held was Troop Guide. Michael is a member of the Order of The Arrow, Scouting’s Honor Society. He has also received the National Outdoor Award for Camping 125 nights.
Michael participated in the 2017 National Jamboree at Summit Bechtel Reserve in West Virginia. While at the Jamboree, Michael served as the Quartermaster for his Troop. His responsibilities included keeping track of and organizing all of the equipment they received at the Jamboree. This was a monumental experience for him as there were over 30,000 Scouts and leaders in attendance. For Michael’s Eagle Project, he renovated several areas of the Glacier Hills Association Community Pool area. He constructed a “GaGa” pit so that the younger members would have a new game to play at the pool. This game is a version of dodge ball in which you can only hit the players with the ball below the knee. He also replaced a fence which had rotted away. With the help of the Glacier Community, a new Trellis was built between two picnic area. The final project was leveling out the dirt and growing grass in one of the picnic areas. He led 36 volunteers who worked over 240 hours to complete this project.
While a member of Troop 173, Michael participated in 123 service hours (70 which were for his Eagle Project). One of the organizations in which he provided community service was Habitat for Humanity. He learned how to use multiple different construction tools, learned how to spackle, and learned how to put up sheetrock. It was an amazing opportunity.
Michael is a Senior at Parsippany Hills High School. In school he participates in the Marching Band, Swim Team, Pit Band, Jazz Band, and is the President of the Anime Club. He is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society. He plans to attend Wilkes University in the fall as a Computer Science Major.
Michael hopes to stay involved in Scouting as much as time permits, both in the Order of the Arrow and as an adult within Troop 173. He plans to live by the Scout Oath and Law and always live by the lessons they have taught him. He plans to pass that on to generations to come.
Michael earned 23 Merit Badges: Archery, Art, Camping*, Citizenship in the Community*, Citizenship in the Nation*, Citizenship in the World*, Communications, Cooking, Environmental Science*, Family Life*, Fingerprinting, First Aid*, Geology, Kayaking, Lifesaving*, Metalwork, Model Design and Building Personal Fitness, Personal Management, Space Exploration Swimming*, Weather, Wood Carving. (Note: *Eagle Required Merit Badge).
David Lewis Dodd III
David began his Scouting experience in Morris Plains as a Tiger Scout. His favorite events as a Cub Scout were the Pinewood Derby, outdoor activities, and the multiple weeks he spent each summer at Camp Wheeler. He earned the Arrow of Light Award and crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 173 in Fifth grade. He advanced through the ranks with guidance from Scoutmasters John Worthington and Les Wu.
As a member of Troop 173, David held a variety of leadership positions including Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, and Troop Guide. He also attended the National Youth Leadership Training Conference. He enjoyed the role of Troop Guide the most since it allowed him to share his knowledge and skills with the younger Scouts.
During his Scouting career, David accumulated 140 total camping nights and 119 Scouting related service hours. His favorite service projects were Scouting for Food and helping out with the Eagle projects of fellow Scouts.
For his Eagle Project, David built a pollinator garden to benefit the Hearts and Hands Preschool at the Parsippany Presbyterian Church. The garden consists of multiple raised beds in a fenced in, gated area. The preschoolers will be able to learn about nature and pollination as they plant wildflowers, care for them, and watch them grow. David’s Eagle coach, Shane Moravsik, provided helpful direction and guidance necessary to successfully complete the project.
David chose a project to benefit the church due to his lifelong ties to the organization. He was baptized there, attended Sunday School and Youth Group over the years, and received his confirmation in 2016. As an active member of the church, David has participated in numerous fundraisers and service projects to support the church, including car washes, rummage sales, and meadow conservation projects. He attended SLP (Summer Leadership Project) which focuses on building leadership and communication skills, team building, community service, and personal development.
David is a Senior at Morristown High School. He plans to attend college as a Biology Major in the fall. Eventually, David would like to earn a graduate degree and become a Physical Therapist.
David plans to remain active in Scouting. He has become a Venture Scout and will continue to be involved as an adult member of Troop 173. He is looking forward to attending Philmont in July.
David earned 22 Merit Badges: Archery, Art, Camping*, Canoeing, Citizenship in the Community*, Citizenship in the Nation*, Citizenship in the World*, Communications, Cooking Disabilities Awareness, Environmental Science, Family Life*, Fingerprinting, First Aid, Indian Lore, Kayaking, Lifesaving, Personal Fitness*, Personal Management*, Rifle Shooting, Small Boat Sailing, Swimming*. (Note: *Eagle Required Merit Badge).
Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than two million young men. Only 5% of the Boy Scouts actually earn this rank.
Boy Scouts of America Troop 173 Eagle Scout Honor Roll includes Norman Schofield, Jr., Michael Gottschalk, James Searing, Geoffrey Brown, John Chervenak, Guy Corbett, Tim Corbett, Robert Burney, Juan Correa, Richard Lauber, Tim Roche, Christopher Callahan, Thomas Cook, Stephen Corcoran, Stephan Pirylis, Brian Stewart, Patrick Roche, Edward Chiorazzi, Brian Pomarlen, Simon Healey, Keith Henderlong, David Chezem, Alex Lin, Robert Strechay, Jr., John Oleske, Daniel Strechay, Joseph Strechay, Kevin Smithers, Joseph Stevens, James Ward, Jason Viglione, Michael DeGuarde, Michael Smith, Tim Foster, Christopher Malcolm, Mark Viglione, Gary Hwang, William Barcliffe, IV, Jonathan Cook, Daniel Aguanno, Anthony Valvano, Eric Kratz, David Kratz, Thomas Corigliano, David Kinskey-Lebeda, Ryan Diggle, Mike Fulton, Dan Fulton, Brian Galley, Shane Moravsik, Paul Rossnagel, Jesse Garbarino, Shay Grabinsky, Joseph Stretavski, Brendan Barwick, Eric Galley, Bobby Ebel, Sean Michie, Michael Ludwig, Matthew Luther, Chris Gardner, Chris Worthington, Cameron Boone, Daniel Metcalf, Rishi Konkesa, Noah Munn, Erik Darling, Thomas Joseph Catapano, David Lewis Dodd, III and Michael Gaudio.
