January 14, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Ramsey Andrew McDermott, Ramsey Boy Scout Troop 31’s newest Eagle Scout, began his path to Boy Scouting’s top award as a Tiger Cub with Pack 175 of Ramsey in the fall of 1996. He advanced through the ranks of Wolf, Bear and Webelo, earning numerous activity badges and the Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouting. In February 2001, McDermott bridged over to Boy Scouts and joined Boy Scout Troop 31, which is sponsored by the Hawthorne Fortitude Lodge # 200 (Free and Accepted Masons). He attained the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life through his hard work and dedication. During his tenure in Troop 31, he attended Camp NoBeBoSco for five summers with the Troop. At NoBe, he also volunteered as a junior leader multiple times at Tenderfoot Camp. He then spent another summer at NoBe as a camp counselor, teaching the woodcarving merit badge at handicraft. Other trips included beach camping at Assateague Island, the West Point 40th Camporee, Glen Gray, and many other camping and canoeing trips. McDermott also participated in the soup kitchen trips, the Iditarod, and the Challenger Space Mission event. He received awards from the troop for going above and beyond at both of the troop sales, Ramsey Day, and the Christmas Tree Sale. The new Eagle Scout took much pride in being a Scout and was particularly dedicated to the troop, serving in many leadership positions including assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, den chief, assistant senior patrol leader, senior patrol leader, and junior assistant Scoutmaster. He was Troop 31’s Andrew McDermott becomes Eagle Scout wide games. McDermott’s Eagle Project consisted of rebuilding the pedestrian walkway between Dogwood Terrace and Knollwood Drive in Ramsey. He led a team of volunteers to clear the area, mulch the walkway, rebuild the fence, plant flowers, and create the signage. He worked closely with the borough to plan and execute the project. Forty-two volunteers worked over 230 hours to complete this project. The new Eagle Scout graduated from Ramsey High School in June 2008. While at Ramsey High, he participated in many extracurricular activities. He was the junior class president, Astronomy Club president, an Interact board member, senior writer for The Ram, and an active member of six other clubs. In athletics, he was the statistician and team manager for the state champion soccer team, the junior varsity and varsity basketball teams, and the N.B.I.L. champion baseball team. He also was the assistant to Athletic Director Lou Molino. Outside of school, he worked at Shop-Rite of Ramsey, played recreational soccer, and volunteered to help disabled children learn to play soccer. McDermott is currently a freshman at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, majoring in business. He is the sports editor of The Quinnipiac Chronicle, the university’s weekly newspaper. He is the secretary of his building complex for Residence Hall Council and is involved in the American Marketing Association, QU Republicans, QU Snow, QU Irish Club and the QU Rotaract Club. He played on two intramural sports teams this fall, one of which named him team captain. McDermott thanks his family, the adults in the troop, and his fellow Scouts for helping him reach this goal and making his Scouting experience so rewarding. He plans to stay connected to Scouting and is an assistant Scoutmaster in Troop 31. dedicated in his advancement, earning a total of 33 merit badges. McDermott’s particularly enjoyed his summer 2005 trip to Camp NoBeBoSco. He was the senior patrol leader, and Troop 31 was the camp’s largest troop of the week. Under McDermott’s direction, the troop won the Wednesday camp wide games and the Thursday troop games and found the hidden theme item of the week. The highlight of the week was being in a canoe with Andre Floyd and winning the ScoutmasterSenior Patrol Leader Canoe Jousting event to secure victory at the Wednesday camp Andrew McDermott Home Improvement Sale 5% Better than your best estimate* Full Service Contractor Additions - Renovations 25 Years in Business Fully Insured • References We’ll Work With You! 201-444-5966 * Written estimates from legitimate competitor Serving Cocktails, & Espresso o Cappuccin State Line Diner - Restaurant 375 State Highway 17 North, Mahwah • 201-529-3353 Open 24 Hours, 7 Days • Join Us For Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner The Best Got Better! Join Us Fo Breakfast, r Lunch & Dinner Please Join Us In Celebrating Our 33rd Anniversary Free Cheesecake & Free Soup 8 with any Dinner Purchase, 5pm - 9pm, January 12 - February www.statelinediner.com FREE Balloons & Lollipops for children Complimentary Gift for Adults 1-14-09 Joan/Janine