Troop 230 in Yardley Celebrates Five New Eagles

Troop 230, which is chartered by St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church in Yardley, will recognize five scouts who have recently earned the highest rank in scouting on August 7, 2016. An Eagle Court of Honor will take place at Washington Crossing Historic Park for Nicholas V. Kusters, Steven Thomas Pellegrino, Benjamin A. Peszka, Daniel R. Plunkett and Timothy Joseph Swanicke.

For his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project, Nicholas Kusters returned to his home field. A long time participant in the Langhorne Athletic Associations baseball programs, Nick led a team of volunteers to overhaul the dugouts at Community Park in Langhorne. His team created new signage, shelving and equipment hangers.

Nick began his trail to Eagle as a cub scout in Pack 360 where he earned Arrow of Light before joining Troop 230. He has served his troop as Troop Guide, Quartermaster and Patrol Leader. Nick attended summer camps in California, New York and Pennsylvania; he counts the camping trips to the United States Military Academy at West Point and the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis as highlights of his scouting experience. Nick also served as Crew Chief of the now disbanded Venture Crew 230. He has traveled to Mount Washington in New Hampshire, Yosemite National Park in California and the Tomogame and the Alagash in Canada.

The son of Tim and Debra Kusters of Langhorne, Nick is a 2016 graduate of Neshaminy High School where he was a member of the football team. He is an avid hunter, has a Black Belt in Mixed Martial Arts and presently trains in Muay Thai. He will be studying Mechanical Engineering on an academic scholarship at York College in the fall.

Steven Thomas Pellegrino chose an Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project that benefited A Woman’s Place and the people they serve. He led a team of volunteers to build eight bookshelves for three area shelter locations for individuals impacted by domestic violence. He also gave a talk at the local Sons of Italy chapter, which funded his project, on the increase of domestic violence against senior citizens. His project dovetailed with his younger sister Michelle’s Girl Scout Silver Project which involved making book bags and book ends as well as collecting books to fill the shelves.

Along his trail to Eagle, Steven has served his troop as Troop Guide teaching younger scouts the skills they need to succeed as scouts; more recently he has been a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster training other scouts as Troop Guides. He is a brother in Order of the Arrow Ajapeu Lodge and currently serves as the secretary of the combined Playwicki and Pennsbury Chapters and is a member of the ceremonial team. Steven attended the National Order of the Arrow Conference in Michigan which celebrated the organization’s 100th anniversary. Steven was a recipient, via nomination by BSA Washington Crossing Council, of the Union League of Philadelphia’s 2016 Good Citizenship Award.

Steven was also honored with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Catholic Scout Award for earning all four of the BSA’s Catholic Youth Religious Emblems: Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII. He shares his faith by teaching Vacation Bible School at St. Ignatius of Antioch Catholic Church.

The son of Mark and Lisa Pellegrino of Yardley, Steven is a member of the Pennsbury High School Class of 2017. He is a member of National Honor Society, plays French horn in the school’s Concert Band and is in the Chess Club. He is an eleven year member of the Morrisville Lanes Junior Bowling League and bowled a perfect 300 game at the age of 15. He plans to study computer programing and software design after high school.

Benjamin A. Peszka completed his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project at Veteran’s Square Monument in Yardley. Coordinating with local veterans' organizations and members of the Veteran's Square Monument Committee, Ben led a team of scout and marching band volunteers in the installation of a landscape project at the site.

Ben crossed over from Pack 95 and has served his troop in several leadership roles including Scribe, Patrol Leader, Troop Guide and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He has participated in his troop’s summer camp and joined the Venture Patrol on the John Muir Trail in Yosemite National Parl. He is a member of Order of the Arrow Ajapeu Lodge.

The son of Andy and Karin Peszka of Yardley, Ben is a member of the Pennsbury High School Class of 2016. While in high school, Ben was a member of the Pennsbury High School Basketball Team and the Marching Band. He was honored with the Director’s Award for his service and leadership in the band. He will study Chemistry at Bucks County Community College in the fall.

Daniel Ryan Plunkett led a team of volunteers to complete a 24’ x 8’ double-sided kickback soccer wall as his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project. The wooden structure was installed at Maple Point Middle School in Langhorne and will be used by the school’s soccer teams as well as the Langhorne Neshaminy United Soccer Club and the public.

Along his trail to Eagle, Daniel served his troop as Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Den Chief, Troop Guide, Senior Patrol Leader and Junior Assistant Scout Master. Daniel participated in the troop’s Venture Patrol which traveled to Mount Massive in Colorado.

The son of Mary and Daniel A. Plunkett of Middletown Township, Daniel is a member of the Neshaminy High School Class of 2016. While at student there, he was an athlete-scholar who was a member of national Honor Society and earned Varsity Letters for running with the Cross County, Indoor Track and Track and Field Teams. Daniel also played soccer on a local club team. Daniel has been a teacher’s aide for the caduceus program at St. Ephrem Catholic Church in Bensalem. He will attend Millersville University in the fall, and is majoring in Actuarial Sciences with a minor in Secondary Math Education.

Timothy Joseph Swanicke’s former elementary school was the beneficiary of his Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project. Tim lead his fellow Scouts in the construction of a 12' X 12" garden shed for the Learning Garden at Makefield Elementary School.

Tim has held numerous positions of responsibility in Troop 230 since he crossed over from Pack 95; he has served as Den Chief, Troop Guide, Patrol Leader and spent eleven months as Senior Patrol Leader. He is a member of Order of the Arrow Ajapeu Lodge. Tim was a camp counselor at Washington Crossing Council’s Ockanickon Scout Reservation. Along his trail to Eagle, Tim earned the Arrow of Light, 63 merit badges, the World Conservation Award and the Ad Altari Dei Catholic Religious Emblem. Tim was recognized by the Boy Scouts of America National Court of Honor with the Heroism Award. The story of how he assisted a family friend who had been injured in a boating accident was featured in Boys Life.

The son of Jane and Russell Swanicke of Langhorne (formerly of Lower Makefield), Tim is a 2016 graduate of Bucks County Technical High School where he was named “Student of the Month” and earned numerous certificates in the field of electronics. Tim plans to enlist in the United States Air Force.