Troop 343 of Hauppauge Recognized its 100th Eagle Scout

On Sunday, December 18, 2016 at St. Thomas More Church, Troop 343 recognized Nicholas Peter Crociata at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor as he became the Troop’s 100th Eagle Scout since it was first chartered in 1968. The Eagle Scout Court of Honor was attended by approximately 115 family, friends, scouts, adult leaders and dignitaries. In attendance were Nicholas’ parents Jeanne-Marie and Peter Crociata, his sister and brother Maghan (GSA Gold Award recipient) and Thomas (Eagle Scout), his grandparents, aunt and cousin.

Troop 343’s 100th Eagle Scout spent five years as a Boy Scout in Troop 343 and five years as a Cub Scout in Pack 589. As an active member of Troop 343, he served as SPL, ASPL, Chaplin’s Aide, Instructor and Troop Guide. Nick earned both of the Catholic Emblems, and is an Order of the Arrow Ordeal member. To earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Nicholas earned 40 Merit Badges (12 of which are required for Eagle Scout) as well as serving as a leader in his troop and completing an Eagle Scout Community Service Project. Nicholas’ Eagle Scout Project was building a brick path and Shrine to St. Francis of Assisi at St. Thomas More Church. His goal was to provide a place of quiet meditation for the parishioners and the residents of Hauppauge and also as an outdoor area to celebrate the annual Blessing of the Animals on the Feast Day of St Francis. The project required 40 volunteers (scouts, friends, family and adult leaders) over 370 hours, plus 110 families sponsored the project by purchasing engraved bricks, and benches (as part of Nicholas’ fundraiser).

Gary Fortmeyer, former Troop Committee Chair, was the Emcee for the Eagle Scout Court of Honor, Senior Patrol Leader Steven Nugent led the opening flag ceremonies and Father Antony Asir, Pastor of St. Thomas More R.C. Church said the opening prayer. Maeghan Crociata introduced Maggie Sicurelli who presented Nicholas’ mother, Jeanne-Marie, with 7 roses, one for each scouting rank. Herb McGrail, the Matinecock District Advancement Chair, read the Eagle Scout Charge, and Eagle Scout Thomas Crociata led the Eagle Scout Rededication, asking Nicholas to affirm his Eagle Scout Pledge. Included in the rededication were 15 Eagle Scouts including Troop 343’s First, Fifth, and Thirteenth Eagle Scouts (Robert Borowski, Paul Borowski and Bernie Pontillo respectively). Eagle Scout Nicholas Crociata then presented his parents with their Eagle pins, and was presented with his Eagle Scout Pin by his father, Peter Crociata, Troop 343’s former Scoutmaster.

Dignitaries who were in attendance presented to Eagle Scout Crociata proclamations, certificates, and commendations including Suffolk County Controller John Kennedy (who also presented on behalf of NY State Assemblyman Mike Fitzpatrick, Suffolk County Legislators Leslie Kennedy and Tom Cilmi), and Sal Nicosia from NY State Senator Tom Croci. Additional speakers included Superintendent for Hauppauge Schools Dr. Dennis O’Hara, Hauppauge High School Principal Christine O’Connor and Hauppauge Middle School Principal Maryann Fletcher. Darius Bobelis, Troop 343’s Committee Chair, presented Nicholas with a Crystal Eagle as a gift from the Troop. Police Officer and Troop 343 Dad, Gerry Frieldingsdorf made a presentation on behalf of the Suffolk County Police Commissioner, Troop 343’s Advancement Chair Dr. Stan Lamberg presented a certificate on behalf of Jewish War Veterans, and there were presentations on behalf of the Jewish and the Catholic Committees on Scouting. Proclamations, Commendations and letters of congratulations from those who were not able to attend were presented: Archbishop Christophe Pierre the Papal Nucio on behalf of Pope Francis; Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and George W Bush; US Congressman Lee Zeldin (who also presented Nicholas with a US Flag flown over the Capitol), Suffolk County Executive Steve Belone, and from other Federal, State and Local officials as well as a letter and autographed photo from Tom Brady

The Key Note Speakers were Hauppauge High School Boys Varsity Track Coach Bill Maida and Assistant Coach Jonathan Hernandez. Both coaches talked about Nicholas’ commitment as a student, an athlete and a member of his community, recognizing his accomplishments and the effort required to earn his Eagle Scout rank. They commented on Nicholas achievements: top 20% of his class, taking the most rigorous courses, they also noted his track accomplishments: shares 6 High school records, record holder for Indoor Nationals, Suffolk County outdoors and a member of the NYS 4x800m Relay Championship.

In his comments to the Scouts and all the family members and friends in the audience, Nicholas thanked everyone who supported him throughout his Scouting Career, with his Eagle Project and life in general. He thanked his parents and family members, his Eagle Scout Project Mentor Ralph Plotke and Eagle Scout Project Coach (Eagle Scout) Kevin Smith. Nicholas reminisced about his time in scouting and said that no other organization could have given him the opportunities to climb an 11,000-foot mountain at Philmont or to sail the Florida Keys at the National BSA Sea Base or summer camp making friends and memories for life, or the various troop campouts, day trips and Troop meetings. Nicholas said, “I learned to tie some knots and climb to the top of the world and I did it with my brother, my dad, my fellow scouts and to relive it all in stories for my sister and mom. I know that my Eagle Scout rank, the life skills, leadership training and opportunities I’ve had have prepared me to excel in college and life beyond.” Nicholas thanked all of the dignitaries who spoke and to his two Keynote speakers/track coaches, he presented each with an engraved racing baton, commemorating their status as 4x800m Relay New York State Champions.

Nicholas is currently a junior in Hauppauge High School, is a member of the Varsity Track Team and Varsity Boys Volleyball Team, National Honor Society; Spanish Language Honor Society and Music Honor Society, Honor’s Chamber Choir, HHS Community Alliance, Freshman Ignition Mentor, as well as a Long Island Junior Soccer Referee. He plans on attending college to study biology and run track at the collegiate level, with a long term goal to pursue a career in marine biology research.