Three young men achieve Eagle Scout

Projects included a bridge, trash receptacles and more than a ton of food Warwick — It is the highest level of Boy Scouting and no easy feat to achieve. Yet three young men from Warwick did achieve it and were awarded the rank of Eagle Scout last month. Daniel Gallagher, Kevin Long and Evan Rotar, all students at Warwick Valley High School, received their Eagle Scout honors at Boy Scout Troop 45’s Eagle Court of Honor at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on May 27. Rotar has been in scouting since he was a Tiger Cub at five years old. Now, at 18 and about to graduate from high school, he still loves scouting and last summer completed one of the most ambitious projects yet — he rebuilt the walking bridge at Stanley-Deming Park in the Village of Warwick. “It is a leadership project; the scout has to organize it, coordinate it, work with other scouts and adults,” is how Rotar describe the project in an interview last year. Rotar got the idea to replace the bridge that goes over Wawayanda Creek at the park from his unit committee chairman, Clayton Eurich, who had spoken with Mayor Michael Newhard about it. Rotar worked with the village engineers and, with a budget of $4,000, got the materials from Kuiken Brothers at cost. He enlisted the help of 60 other scouts and parents to complete his project. For nearly a year now, those who frequent Stanley-Deming Park have enjoyed Rotar’s handiwork. The bridge will be dedicated to Eurich, who has been involved in Warwick scouting for 45 years. Gallagher, also a senior at Warwick Valley High School, organized a food drive for the Ecumenical Food Pantry in Warwick. With the help of his fellow scouts, their parents, friends, and food pantry volunteers, Gallagher collected, sorted and shelved literally a ton and a half of food. Long is finishing his junior year at Warwick Valley High School. For his project, Long built six new trash receptacles for the Village of Warwick, also enlisting the help of his fellow scouts and friends. The village approved the project and provided the $1,000 funding. Materials for this project were also gotten from Kuiken Brothers. After six months of work, the wooden receptacles are now gracing the sidewalks of the village, helping to beautify them every day. Long said scouting was both fun and rewarding for him. “I stayed involved in scouting because it was fun,” said Long, who joined scouting when he was just 10 years old. “There was a group of guys and we became friends. The majority are still involved.” Long also said scouting provided him with good examples of how to live, making note of Eurich, his scoutmaster Tom Fivehouse, and his group’s head scoutmaster, Ken Wojtak. The criteria for Eagle Scout designation is not a walk in the park. Over the years, a scout must earn 21 merit badges, 11 of which are required for all Eagle Scout candidates. Scouts must live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives. References are required. Scouts must perform in leadership roles as well. And of course they have to produce a community project. While scouting is an important part of life for each of these three young men, they are also involved in other activities. Gallagher, who is the son of Ken and Mary Ellen Gallagher, is a member of the Warwick High School cross-country team, indoor track team and outdoor track and field team for all four years of high school. He is a member of St. Stephen’s God’s TYM and has achieved the high honor roll all four years of his high school career. He will be attending the University of Buffalo in the fall, majoring in architecture. Rotar is the son of John and Joanie Rotar of Chester.In addition to scouting, Rotar was co-captain of the cross-country team, a member of the National Honor Society and on the high honor roll. He is also an altar server at St. Stephen’s Church and is a member of the Warwick Valley Junior Ambulance Corps. He has his Red Cross certification as a water safety instructor, lifeguard and in first aid, and CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer. Rotar will be attending Stony Brook University in the fall, majoring in health sciences. Long is the son of Kirk and Jeanne Long. Long was the captain of the junior varsity soccer team for two years and will be co-captain of the varsity team come September. He is a travel soccer player and a member of the high school track and field team. Long is an honor roll student, and works at Halligan’s restaurant in the Village of Warwick. After he finishes high school in 2007, his future plans include attending college, pursuing a career in athletic training, and possibly joining the New York City Fire Department.