Freehold Boy Scout Troop 18 members Robert J Lombardi, 16, of Freehold Township, and Joseph Daniel Schandall, 16, of Freehold Township, have reached the highest rank in scouting.
The rank of Eagle Scout is attained by less than 1% of all those who begin the journey through Boy Scouting.
Robert is the son of Donna and Rob Lombardi, and Joseph is the son of Carol and Jim Schandall, according to a press release.
The young men are members of Troop 18 and received their Eagle awards at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony held at the Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore pavilion in Howell on Aug. 15.
Robert’s Eagle Scout project was completed at his former school, the Joseph J. Catena Elementary School in Freehold Township. The project involved leading a group of scouts and adults to repair and refurbish the landscaping in front of the school.
The work consisted of installing a low border fence around a statue of the school’s mascot, JJ Colt, to prevent children from climbing on it. Red gravel was placed around JJ Colt to improve and preserve the appearance of the statue.
Along the front of the school, two bushes were replaced and two new ones were planted, according to the press release.
Robert also led scouts in placing several tons of red gravel in five large planter beds in front of the school to improve the appearance and prevent weed growth, as well as repairing the fence around a vegetable garden to keep deer and other animals away from the vegetables.
Robert is a rising senior and an entertainment technology major in the Fine and Performing Arts magnet program at Howell High School. He joined Boy Scouts in the fall of 2009 as a first grade Tiger scout in Pack 358.
Robert plans to pursue college degrees in music business and finance.
Joseph’s Eagle Scout project consisted of constructing roll down shades to cover all of the inside classroom door windows at the middle school he attended, Dwight D. Eisenhower Middle School in Freehold Township.
The shades were secured to the doors with Velcro. His project addressed the safety of staff members and students if an intruder were to enter the building and tried to look into the classrooms.
Joseph led a group of 12 youths and adults for five days to measure each door, construct the shades and install them, according to the press release.
Joseph is a rising senior in the Navy Junior ROTC program at Colts Neck High School. He joined Boy Scouts in the fall of 2009 as a first grade Tiger scout in Pack 358.
Joseph’s future plans include attending college with a military scholarship and pursuing a degree in engineering.
In recognition of their accomplishments, the Scouts were presented with commendations from governing bodies and civic organizations throughout the area, according to the press release.