By Gene Robbins, Managing Editor
Four members of Boy Scout Troop 89 were honored at the June 9 meeting of the Township Committee for realizing their Eagle Scout awards, the highest rank in Boy Scouting.
The four high school seniors are William Freeman, Henry Toke, Austin O’Neill and Kevin Bizzoco.
William Freeman has been a Boy Scout for more than 10 years.
Will has served in various leadership positions such as Scribe, Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. As a Scout, Will has enjoyed camping outdoors, whitewater rafting in West Virginia, cycling the length of Cape Cod, and climbing the peaks of Yosemite National Park.
His Eagle project was building two benches in the Memorial Garden of the Readington Reformed Church.
Henry Toke has been a Boy Scout for more than 12 years. Henry has served as Den Chief and Instructor, and has received several medals for trips, as well as his Arrow of Light Award.
Henry has been acting, singing and dancing since first grade, and was a thespian in the Hillsborough High School Theatre Group for four years.
Henry’s Eagle Scout project was refurbishing and renovating the courtyard and memorial garden at Auten Road Intermediate School. The work included weeding, planting, mulching and repairing structures.
Austin O’Neill’s Boy Scout experience through the years has led him to travel to Yosemite National Park, bike the entire length of Cape Cod and ride the rapids of the Gauley River in West Virginia.
Austin was a member of the Hillsborough High School’s Robotics Team 75 RoboRaiders for four years. He worked as a counselor at Camp Ranachqua in Narrowsburg, New York, for the past two years.
For his Eagle project, Austin built two mahogany benches for the front entrance of Foothill Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation on East Mountain Road, and later dedicating the benches to his great-aunt, Fortunata “Fudgie” Guidone, who had been a resident of the facility.
Kevin Bizzoco, a member of Troop 89 for the past seven years, has served in various leadership positions, including Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, and Instructor, as well as receiving his certification as a BSA Lifeguard.
Kevin is a lighting designer for Hillsborough High School and other community playhouses throughout New Jersey. Involved in theater productions since middle school, he most recently participated in the Somerset Valley Players production of “Narnia.”
Kevin has volunteered his time to food banks, and participates in the school district’s extended school year program, helping to educate younger special education children in need of year-round schooling.
Kevin’s project consisted of raising funds and building a shed for the Somerset Valley Players.
