Three local teens reach the same goal
By: Candice Leigh Helfand
Several local Boy Scouts will ascend to the highest level a Scout can achieve; they will become Eagle Scouts.
Anthony Gramieri, Brian DelGuercio and Justin Fraser have all recently completed their required Scout projects and reviews required in becoming an Eagle Scout.
Brian constructed a Victorian garden, 24 feet by 20 feet, inspired by Civil War era garden construction (circa 1860s). He made the garden behind the Slack-Carroll House on Georges Road for his project. As it turned out, the Dayton Village Citizens Coalition, the owners of the Slack-Carroll House, were considering adding the garden to the grounds right around the time Brian sought out a project.
"It wound up working for both parties," Brian said. "They got their garden, and I got my project."
Brian was able to acquire the funds and materials necessary for his project by means of donations from his family.
Anthony’s project also involved the Slack-Carroll House. However, he focused more on its interior, renovating the house’s museum section.
"He repaired all the walls, installed an exterior bulletin board, placed new carpet on the back floor area where the flooring could not be sanded, and installed display cases so the curator of the museum can put out displays open to the community," Mr. Gramieri said.
Justin had to work with the township Department of Recreation and Community Affairs to complete his project. He assisted the township in leveling the surface already provided for the volleyball courts in Woodlot Park on New Road. Then he set up a scoreboard and several benches for community use. Justin also solicited help, from local businesses (Kremer Landscape, A-to-Z Auto, Edison Generators, Dayton Park Pharmacy, Fugi of Dayton, Dayton Video, Doctors of Dental Medicine, Jerry Case, and GDS).
"It looked like it’d be a challenge, and it was something that would still be there when I left," Justin said, in regard to why he chose the project.
Before potential Eagle Scouts start working on their final service projects, the boys must first achieve and serve as Life Scouts, earn a total of 21 merit badges, serve in a position of authority, and live in a manner that practices the ideals of an Eagle Scout in everyday life.
Then the Scouts can begin their project, which must be something that benefits the community, said Frank Gramieri, the troop leader and Anthony’s father.
"It tests their leadership skills that they have developed over the years as scout leaders in their units," he said.
The Scouts themselves saw additional benefits to achieving Eagle Scout status.
"It’s a sign of maturity and growth; it’s very honorable," said Justin. "I was up to the challenge."
Brian added that a large part of the motivation comes from doing something to push yourself forward as a person.
"It’s a good sense of self-satisfaction knowing that you did something that not a lot of people get to do, or can do," he said.
The process of becoming an Eagle Scout generally starts around the age of 14, though Justin started when he was only 11. Since the cut-off age for eligibility is 18, it is necessary for a Scout to give himself an adequate amount of time to complete his projects.
"In Justin’s case he just made it before his 18th birthday," Mr. Gramieri said.
One week, to be exact.
Each Eagle Scout must go through a review by a panel after submitting their final service projects. "I actually had my board review on my birthday," said Justin.
Brian also made it in before his 18th birthday, which happens in November of this year.
Anthony, however, will turn 17 in October. As a result, he gets to wear his Eagle Scout badge as a youth, while most do not receive the honor until they are near or past their 18th birthday.
A ceremony will be held in early October to honor the young men in their achievements.
In January, two more Scouts, Neel Patil and Prakash Mallela, will be done with their Eagle Scout projects.
"It’s a banner year for Eagles in our unit," said Mr. Gramieri.
While Anthony is still attending South Brunswick High School, his older counterparts are moving on to college. Justin is a freshman at Drexel University in Philadephia, studying business administration. Brian is attending the University of Delaware to study history education.
"The boys are doing a great job preserving the area’s history," said Mr. Gramieri. "Each Scout has worked hard and deserves equal notoriety."