Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • February 22, 2012 Mahwah Ryan Ciocci of Mahwah Boy Scout Troop 258 has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor a Boy Scout can achieve. A Court of Honor was held at the Mahwah Elks Lodge, where members of Troop 258, family, and friends celebrated Ciocci’s achievement. The new Eagle Scout is the son of Janice and Louis Ciocci, and brother of Holly and Alex. He began his Scouting career in September 2002 as part of Troop 197, and advanced through the ranks from Tiger to Webelo, earning the Arrow of Light in 2007. In 2007, he bridged to Boy Scouts and joined Troop 258. He progressed through the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life, while earning 25 merit badges. He served in leadership roles of senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, and patrol leader. He earned the 50 Miler Award, Ciocci earns Eagle Scout honors with Troop 258 and attended high adventure treks to Floodwood and Chesapeake Bay. For his Eagle Project, Ciocci constructed a new footbridge at Camp Glen Gray’s yellow trail, near the junctions of the yellow-silver and Schuber (orange) trails. Before the footbridge was installed, the rocky terrain and rushing stream were challenging to cross. Trail maintenance performed as part of the project included the trimming of overgrown shrubs, and the removal of fallen tree limbs and leaves from the path. The streambed, which contained fallen branches and other debris, was also cleaned up. Rocks were strategically placed in the upper part of the stream as a means to slow the rushing water. Rocks were also added to the bank of the stream to prevent flooding. Ciocci acknowledged the generous donations from the Mahwah Elks Lodge #1941, Home Depot in Mahwah, Home Depot in Paramus, Lowes in Nanuet, New York, and Wilkes Deli in Mahwah. He also received support from John Moran, trails chair of the North Jersey Trails Committee, New York--New Jersey Trail Conference; Drew Baumgardt, the Camp Glen Gray caretaker; and many Scouts and parents, all of whom helped make this project a success. Ciocci is a sophomore at Mahwah High School, where he is a member of the Woodshop Club and a Bronze Scholastic Award winner. He joins his brother Alex in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, and is thankful for the guidance and support he received in his Scouting journey. At right: Ryan Ciocci of Mahwah Boy Scout Troop 258.