Eagle Scout From Caldwell Troop Has ‘Thirst For History’

CALDWELLS, NJ — There’s a new Eagle Scout in West Essex.

Christian Styskal of Roseland recently earned a commendation from the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest distinction awarded by the Boy Scouts of America.

Styskal earned the honor as a member of Boy Scout Troop #3 of Caldwell.

Freeholder Leonard Luciano presented Styskal a commendation to honor his “unwavering dedication of service to the community and to his troop” at a special presentation at the Hall of Records in Newark on Jan. 22.

According to a joint news release from the freeholders:

“Christian is a senior at West Essex Regional High School where he plays football and basketball. He is active with the Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church where he has served as an altar boy since he was in the fourth grade. He began his scouting career in the second grade while attending the Lester C. Noecker Grammar School in Roseland, New Jersey, where he became a Cub Scout with Roseland Pack 801 achieving Cub Scout's Highest Award, The Arrow of Light.”

The freeholders continued:

“On February 23, 2013, Christian became a Boy Scout and joined Caldwell Troop 3 where he quickly rose through the ranks, earning the rank of Life Scout on August 8, 2015. During his time as a scout, he earned several leadership positions serving as an Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Senior Assistant Patrol Leader. He ultimately achieved several accolades, including: the Boy Scouts Honor Society ‘The Order of the Arrow,’ where he earned the Ordeal award. Additionally, he has received 23 merit badges, including Swimming, Citizenship to the Community, Nation and World, Cooking, Communication, Emergency Preparedness, and Family Life, to name a few.”

The freeholders also praised Styskal’s Eagle Scout project:

“His Eagle Scout project consisted of constructing and replacing an aging American Flag Retirement box at the American Legion Hall in Caldwell, New Jersey. Having a thirst for history and speaking with the Post Commander, Christian came up with the idea and developed, organized, and supervised the construction to replace the American Legion’s aging drop box.”

Styskal thanked his parents for their support, as well as the board of freeholders. He said he plans to attend the University of New Haven in West Haven, Connecticut, in the fall, where he will study criminal justice with a concentration in investigative services.

• See related article: West Caldwell Teen Builds Free Libraries For Eagle Scout Project
• See related article: North Caldwell Student, Eagle Scout Commended

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