WEST MILFORD — Jesse James Hackett and Austin Alexander Turek are two local young men who recently received their Eagle Scout designation at a Court of Honor ceremony on Nov. 29, at St. Joseph’s Church in West Milford. Jesse and Austin are both members of Troop 114, chartered by Saint Joseph’s Church in West Milford and led by Scoutmaster Jeff Hanson.
The son of Shelley and Tom Hackett and a freshman at Fairleigh Dickinson University, Madison Campus, Jesse became a Cub Scout in 2003 in Pack 139 and has served as a Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader. Jesse is also a member of the Order of the Arrow, scouting’s national honor society.
Austin is the son of Paul and Frances Turek and a freshman at Bergen Community College. Austin became a Cub Scout in 2002 and has served as a Quartermaster, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and an Instructor.
To earn the Eagle Scout Rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in leadership, community service and outdoor skills. While there are many options available to demonstrate proficiency in these areas, a number of specific skills are required to advance through the ranks of Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life and Eagle.
To advance, a Boy Scout must pass specific tasks, which are organized by requirements and merit badges. Merit badges signify the mastery of certain Scout craft skills, as well as serving to increase skills in areas of personal interest. Of the more than 150 merit badges available, 21 must be earned to qualify for Eagle Scout.
Beginning with the Star Rank and continuing through the ranks of Life and Eagle, a Scout must demonstrate the ideals of service and leadership.
Hackett’s project
Jesse’s Eagle project involved collecting used prescription eyeglasses for the Hope Alliance, a humanitarian organization that empowers impoverished people to create positive and sustainable change in the lives of their families and their communities. Collection boxes set up in local businesses and personal solicitations yielded over one hundred pairs of glasses. These were brought to the Vision Care Technology department at Essex County College, where Scouts assisted faculty members in sorting the glasses by prescription and readying them for shipment to the Hope Alliance, who in turn distributed them to children and adults in need in Peru and Haiti.
Jesse would like to thank Professor Richard Palumbo and Paul Kohan at Essex County College; Jordanna Brown, Program Coordinator, the Hope Alliance; American Legion Post 289 for their support; the many generous donors; Troop 114 Scoutmasters, committee, and the Scouts and adults who assisted him.
Turek’s project
Austin’s Eagle Scout project consisted of fixing and building items in the gym of Our Lady Queen of Peace School. OLQP School holds a special meaning to his family because they had attended the school throughout the years while it was still a functional parochial school.
In his project he painted and cleaned the kitchen area and stage. These areas are used for many occasions throughout the year by the church, the preschool as well as community groups. The kitchen area is used for storing and serving food when events are being held in the gym.
Austin’s project also consisted of fixing up the toy room area in the gym. The preschool uses the gym for recess and recreation. Austin installed shelves in the room for an easy clean up. He also had a handmade toy box donated to him for miscellaneous toys to be stored for easy access.
In addition to that, Austin also installed new handrails going up to the stage. These handrails are sturdier than the previous ones, which improves the safety of walking up and down the
stage stairs.
Austin would like to thank everyone who came and helped him complete his project including the scouts, the scout leaders, his family, and Eagle alumni who came to help and support him.
In addition he would like to thank Michael Rodak for giving him the opportunity and support to do his project at Queen of Peace. Austin would also like to thank Rodak for allowing him the chance to hold a bake sale as a fundraiser which was a needed requirement in obtaining his Eagle rank.
Austin also thanks his uncle, Al Ragonese. He built the toy box using the requirements and specifications that were given to him. Mr. Ragonese also donated the materials.
Austin would also like to thank his dad who went with him many times to measure, cut, and install the handrails and shelving.
He thanks his mother and sister, Melissa, for all their help, as well as everyone who donated treats for his bake sale; Jane Lombardo, Beverly Cox, Nancy Faulch, Beverly and Stefani Janelli. Most of all, he would like to thank the parishioners of Queen of Peace for buying all the goodies. Without them it wouldn’t have been successful.
Austin looks to further his involvement in helping the community while he is attending Bergen Community College and is majoring in Criminal Justice. He plans to later serve as a police officer within his community. Earning the rank of Eagle Scout will prepare him for what lies ahead and the service he will provide to the community.
The fact that a boy is an Eagle Scout has always carried with it a special significance, not only in Scouting, but also as he enters higher education, business or industry, and community service. The award is a performance-based achievement whose standards have been well maintained over the years. Not every boy who joins a boy scouting troop earns Eagle Scout Rank. About 2.5 percent of all Boy Scouts do earn the rank. This represents more than one million Boy Scouts who have earned the rank since 1911. Nevertheless, the goals of scouting — Citizenship Training, Character Development, and Personal Fitness remains important to all Scouts, whether or not they attain the Eagle Scout Rank.