Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • December 7, 2011 Ramsey Ramsey Boy Scout Troop 31 recently recognized four members who have achieved Eagle Scout status. The new Eagle Scouts include Andrew Michael Lynch, Christopher Michael McKiever, Jesse W. Shearer, and Evan James Sisti. The new Eagle Scouts thanked all of the leaders and volunteers for their support. Lynch began his scouting career as a Tiger Cub in Suffern (New York) Pack 23 in 1999. He later earned the Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouting. In 2004, he crossed over to Boy Scouts and joined Troop 31, which is sponsored by the Hawthorne Fortitude Lodge #200 Free and Accepted Masons. He advanced through the ranks, earning 27 merit badges, and logging numerous hours of community service. He also held several leadership positions. He attended summer camp with the Troop at Camp Keowa (Ten Mile River) in 2004 and at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco for the following five years. He participated in various outdoor activities with Troop 31, especially Fall Camporees, Mulllica River canoe trips, and First Year Scout overnights at Glen Gray. For his Eagle Scout Service Project, Lynch organized and oversaw the revitalization of two campsites at Camp Glen Gray in Mahwah. His project included construction of four wooden 10’ x 12’ tent Four borough residents earn Eagle Scout status platforms, installation of a barbeque grill, installation of a bench, and repair of numerous existing platforms. In June, he graduated from Don Bosco Preparatory High School, where he was a member of the epeé squad and a shot put and discus thrower. He is also a member of the Math Honor Society and the National Honor Society. He was recognized as a National Merit Scholarship Commended Student and an AP Scholar with Distinction. He is currently a freshman at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he is majoring in computer engineering. He plans to continue to give back to the troop in order to provide younger Scouts with the same great scouting opportunities he enjoyed. McKiever joined Cub Scout Pack 23 of Suffern in September, 2001. He earned the Catholic Religious Emblem and the Arrow of Light as he advanced through the ranks. In 2006, he joined Troop 31. He earned 31 Merit Badges and the Donor Awareness and Recruiter Awards. His leadership roles include four years as Patrol Leader. He is currently an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, a position he has held for the past two years. He attended the high adventure trip to Bluestone National Park in West Virginia, where he white water kayaked, hiked, and went spelunking. He participated in several Camporees, including those in Camp Lewis, Yaw Paw, Glen Gray, and the New Jersey State Police Camporee in Sea Girt. He enjoyed the overnight historical trips to Saratoga, Cooperstown, and Boston’s Freedom Trail, and the canoe trips to the Pine Barrens and the Mullica River. McKiever went deep sea fishing in the Atlantic Highlands, winter cabin camping at Camp Turell in the Catskills, hiked various trails in Harriman State Park, went on overnight trips to the Challenger Center, and went rock climbing. He participated in the Memorial Day and Home for the Holidays Parades, went shooting at Thunder Mountain, worked the Soup Kitchen at Saint Ann’s in Newark, snowtubed at Campgaw, and participated in Scout Sunday Masses. In the summers, he attended Camp NoBeBoSco, where he earned several individual awards. For his Eagle Project, he organized and oversaw a Camping Experience Enhancer at Camp Glen Gray. Tent platforms, picnic tables, and grills were made and installed. A new campsite was created, benefitting the Division of Youth and Family Services of New Jersey, which has an outdoor camping program for inner city children. McKiever managed 35 volunteers and their 247 hours working on this project. He is an honor roll student at Suffern High School, where he is in his junior year. He is a member of the school’s cross country team and the indoor and outdoor track teams. He has won various metals in cross country, relays, and the high, long, and Photos of borough homes that have been decorated for the holidays are now being accepted for the Ramsey Recreation Commission’s annual Holiday Decorating Contest. The deadline for submissions is Dec. 16. Photos may be mailed to: Borough of Ramsey, 33 North Central Avenue, Ramsey, NJ 07446. Digital photos may be Decorating contest entrants sought sent to gkdey@ramseynj.com. Judging for the event will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 20. Winners will receive gift certificates to Brady’s at the Station. For additional information or an entry form, contact John Solarino at (201) 8258299 or visit the recreation page at www. ramseynj.com. triple jump events. He had the fastest time in the 300m and highest jump in New York State Section 1 as a freshman, and qualified for “states” this past indoor season. In the classroom, he is earning college credits from Syracuse University in American History and the State University of New York at Albany in pre-calculus. He plans to major in biology and eventually attend medical school. He is a member of the Life Teen Group at Sacred Heart R.C. Church, where he is also an usher. He is a Make-A-Wish “Buddy” and volunteers at Columbia Presbyterian Children’s Hospital in the transplant unit. He was an escort to Orlando for a “Granted Wish” and helped out at Give Kids the World Village in Disney World. He is also a member of the Ramsey Rescue Squad. He plans to work toward his Eagle Palms. Shearer joined Ramsey Cub Scout Pack 175 as a Tiger Cub. He earned his Arrow of Light, and joined Troop 31. Under the leadership of Scoutmasters Andre Floyd and Michael McKiever, Shearer advanced through the ranks. He served the troop as bugler, patrol leader, and librarian. He participated in many community and outdoor events, including summer trips to Acadia National Park in Maine, and a high adventure trip to Bluestone National Park in West Virginia. He also visited Gettysburg, camped at Glen Gray, canoed through the Pine Barrens, and hiked the Palisades, and Harriman and Bear Mountain state parks. (continued on page 24)