Sparta sees another Eagle soar

SPARTA — Zachary Petrucci, a member of Boy Scout Troop 95 of Sparta, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at an Eagle Court Of Honor on Aug. 13 at Shepherd of The Hills Church in Sparta. Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Scouting. Only four out of 100 Scouts attain the Eagle Rank. In order to earn this distinction, a Scout must earn at least 21 merit badges, demonstrate leadership skills, and complete a community service project. Zac’s Eagle project consisted of blazing a hiking trail in the Sparta Glen, and building six benches that were placed along the trail. Two of the benches were placed at a sitting area overlooking Lake Mohawk. Zac, along with 50 troop members, family and friends worked over two weekends to complete the project. The project required over 250 man-hours in total. Zac is grateful to those who helped and supported him, including businesses that donated money and products. These businesses were Kuiken Brothers, Alish’s Alpine Paints, The Newton Home Depot, The Sparta Hardware Store, Mohawk Gardens, The Pizza Place, Sparta Stop & Shop, and Dunkin’ Donuts Of Wharton. Within his troop Zac has held a number of leadership positions including Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, and Senior Patrol Leader. Currently, he is a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He plans to continue his involvement in Scouting. Outside of Scouting, Zac is a Drum Major of the Sparta High School Marching Band, and a member of both Blues Sanction, and Blues Inc. Jazz Ensembles. He is also a member of the Sparta High School Strings Club. In May, he received the Paderewski Gold Medal from the American College of Musicians for piano. He currently teaches beginner and intermediate lessons in piano. Zac has been a volunteer at Newton Medical Center for the past three years and has donated over 150 hours to the hospital program. Zac will be a senior at Sparta High School this fall. He has excelled academically earning membership into the National Honor Society, and the World Language National Honors Society. In his sophomore year, he represented Sparta High School at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Conference. When Zachary graduates high school he plans to go to college to study both biology and music and hopes to go to medical school in the future. Chartered in 1965, and currently sponsored by the Sparta VFW, Troop 95 is celebrating 46 years of continued scouting and service to the community. Mike Stenderowicz is the Scoutmaster of the troop.