Sweet, Harwood Earn Scouting’s Highest Honor

BY STEVEN CAHN
editorial@antonmediagroup.com
Mitchell Sweet and Zachary Harwood, two graduating seniors from Roslyn High School, recently earned their Eagle Scout award, scouting’s highest rank. Each boy sat for his board of review, a 90-minute question and answer session whereby select adult scouting leaders question Eagle Scout candidates on issues of achievement, leadership, scholarship, character, self-reliance and meaningful community service.
Only four percent of all boys who become Scouts are ever awarded the Eagle medal. The rank of Eagle Scout, because of its rarity, still remains a distinguishing factor in college admissions and job applications as has been reported by candidates and institutions alike.
The review was conducted by Messrs. Don McMahaon and Michael Natilli of the Shelter Rock District’s Eagle Board. They were joined by leaders from Roslyn’s Troop 267, who focused on the leadership, planning, and implementation of each of the boys’ service projects.
Sweet’s project involved over 20 people and took nearly 300 man-hours to complete. The project involved the renovation of the courtyard at the Old Westbruy Hebrew Congregation, where his family are congregants. The project included the installation and leveling of the pavers, reconditioning the courtyard statue, and pruning and replanting the existing foliage. Harwood’s project was of similar size and scope, involving the construction and installation of a media center at Congregation Tifereith Israel in Glen Cove, the synagogue at which the Harwood’s are congregants. The project included designing and constructing the media center, reworking the electric in the foundation wall, and painting the room upon completion.
Scouting is a family affair with both families. Both of the boys’ fathers are also Eagle Scouts. Joshua, Harwood’s younger brother, has reached the rank of Life Scout and is expected to earn his Eagle rank in the next year. Coincidentally, both Sweet and Harwood have been admitted to Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) a highly rated university for engineering and computer science.
Troop 267 is open to all boys (ages 10 – 18) in the Roslyn area since 1992. It is sponsored by Temple Beth Sholom on Roslyn Road, and meets every Tuesday except during school vacations and Jewish holidays. The troop goes camping once each month and has a summer camp program for those that wish to attend. For more information contact Steven Cahn at 516-621-3890.