Two local Scouts awarded Eagle medals

SPARTA — Two local Boy Scouts, from Sparta-based Troop 95, who have been scouts together since Cub Scout days, were awarded their Eagle Scout medals at a Court of Honor ceremony on March 25 at the Lake Mohawk Golf Club.
William F. Somma, 17, earned his rank of Eagle Scout on November 15, 2017 and was awarded his Eagle Scout medal on March 25. William is a second-generation Eagle Scout. His father, Russell Somma, earned his Eagle in 1966.
Eagle Scouts are required to complete a service project and William’s was the restoration of the Our Lady of Grace Garden at Reverend Brown Memorial School in Sparta. Inspired by the Boy Scout motto “leave no trace,” he used his service project as an opportunity to not only restore a prayer garden but also to do it using sustainable options. The project goal was to appreciate Mary’s statue which was hidden and be inviting for prayer and meditation. Working both with landscape and fencing professionals, a plan was designed to update the garden building on the existing layout and trees in place. Old fencing was replaced with fencing constructed of a cellular vinyl product guaranteed to require little maintenance for 25 years. This option minimizes the impact on the landfill since there will not be a need to deposit old fencing and paint containers over the future years. Instead of fencing in a few areas, he planted shrubs as a barrier. Old fire bricks were reused as bases for new benches and two large pine trees were taken down and chipped for mulch.
Within Boy Scouts, William displayed leadership at National Youth Leadership Training and within his troop as Quartermaster, Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, and Bugler. Along his path to Eagle, William earned 47 Merit Badges including Environmental Science, Forestry, Engineering, Fish and Wildlife, Fishing, Mammal Study, Nature, Nuclear Science, Weather, Pioneering and Railroading. William is currently a student at Pope John XXIII High School in Sparta and his achievements include Math Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, STEM - Scanning Electron Microscopy Club, Green Team (Environmental Club) and a US History I - Achievement Award. Community service is important to William and since 2010 he has volunteered through the organization “Connect for Community”.
William’s passion is to conserve the planet. Exploring Environmental Engineering has been an ongoing effort during his summers with participation in the Backwoods Engineering Camp, and summer Engineering camps both at Bucknell and Syracuse Universities focusing on both Civil & Environmental Engineering and Renewable & Alternative Engineering. His goal is to attend college and study both Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Dylan Joel Gerisch is a junior at Wallkill Valley Regional High School in Hamburg, NJ. He is a three season athlete with varsity letters in Cross Country and Indoor Track, a member of the National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society and serves as a Peer Leader in the school. In addition to earning 23 merit badges, Dylan has held several leadership positions within his troop such as Senior Patrol Leader, Troop Webmaster, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Den Chief. He currently serves the Troop as Junior Assistant Scoutmaster and Philmont Crew Leader. Dylan was selected for membership in the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scout National Honor Society. He is a Brotherhood member. He was also selected to participate in National Youth Leadership Training for Boy Scouts. As a result of this training he was excited to apply for and successfully obtain a position on the leadership team that trains younger scouts. He unfailingly states that he enjoys the opportunity to help train others to become future leaders. He has consistently endeavored to better himself as a result of his work in scouts and has demonstrated leadership skills that he has obtained as a result of his experience. His future plans include attending college and majoring in Astronautical Engineering.
Dylan’s Eagle Scout project involved the building of three fenced-in raised garden beds for the Catholic Charities and Community Services’ food pantry in Franklin, NJ. This enabled the food pantry to provide fresh vegetables for their clients. He was excited to be able to help provide fresh food to individuals who may not have the means to purchase it for themselves.