In honor of the achievements of two boy scouts from Hillsborough Troop 489, who both reached their Eagle Scout rank this year, the Hillsborough Township Committee recognized them at a Sept. 24 meeting.
Hillsborough Troop 489 members and Hillsborough High School students, Joseph Meditz and Tyler Tomczak, both attained the honorable rank of Eagle Scout for their efforts this year.
Joseph and Tyler were each presented with a proclamation on a Sept. 24 where township mayor Frank DelCore recognized their individual efforts to attain their Eagle Scout status.
Joseph, a Troop 489 member and senior at Hillsborough High School, was honored for his achievement this year when he planned, fundraised and organized the restorations of the stations of the cross at Mary Mother of God Church in Hillsborough on Triangle Road in an aim to benefit the church and its parishioners.
Joseph’s project was completed over the course of approximately 86 hours with assistance from seven of his fellow scouts and five adults. In their group effort, they weeded, laid down a barrier cloth and sorted decorative red rock at each station. Officials said that Joseph’s project improved the appearance of the stations of the cross and provided a sustainable alternative to the previous landscaping.
Throughout his six-year tenure as a scout in Troop 489, Joseph has earned a total of 31 merit badges. He is also a member of the Hillsborough High School cross country and track teams.
Following Joseph’s proclamation reading, DelCore said that his efforts helped set a positive example for other youths in the township.
“[Joseph] serves as an example to the youth of Hillsborough Township through his high level of leadership and community service,” DelCore said. “We are very proud that he is a member of our community.”
After DelCore’s comments, Joseph thanked the township committee for the recognition as well as his family and troop members who he said helped guide him along his journey toward in becoming an Eagle Scout.
Tyler, a Troop 489 member and senior at Hillsborough High School, was honored for his achievement this year when he built six owl boxes for the Somerset County Park Commission, which were hung at five golf courses in Somerset County. Tyler’s project included aspects of planning, fundraising and leading 11 of his fellow scouts and four adults to complete his goal over the course of more than 100 hours.
Following the proclamation presentation by DelCore, he said that Tyler also serves as an example to the youth of Hillsborough Township through “his high level of leadership and community service.”
“We are very proud that [Tyler] is a member of our community,” DelCore said.
Following DelCore’s comments, Tyler expressed his thanks for the continued support from his family and community in order to carry on his efforts as a scout.