Brookfielder Michael Josef Pondiccio Earns Eagle Scout Rank

Written by Melissa Marici

BROOKFIELD, CT — On July 9, 2016 Michael Josef Pondiccio celebrated his Court of Honor and earned his Eagle Scout award as a member of BSA Troop 5 in Brookfield, CT. In attendance were Congresswoman, Elizabeth Estes, U.S. Senator, Richard Blumenthal, Brookfield’s First Selectman Steve Dunn and local State Representative, Steve Harding. They each took the time to speak encouraging words for our youth and local communities.

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Michael’s service project involved the designing of, raising funds for and implementing the installation of a “climbing wall” at Cadigan Field, one of our community recreation parks. He worked with town officials, professional design engineers, raised funds and supervised construction of the structure. Michael garnered a team of fellow Troop 5 Scouts and parents who dug holes, held panels, tightened bolts and painted the new wall. The project has added to the diversity of potential activities for children who go to the park with their parents.

A 2016 Brookfield High School graduate, he is planning to attend college in the fall at the University of Rhode Island to study business and entrepreneurship. While at BHS, Michael has taken advanced placement courses in computer science, psychology and statistics. He is a member of DECA, the school business club and of the wrestling team.

Michael began his scouting career as a Cub in Pack 5, where he earned the Arrow of Light. He became a member of Troop 5 in 2009 and has served in various roles of responsibility and leadership including Den Chief (he earned the Den Chief Service award), Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader.

In addition to attending Camp Sequassen for 6 years, Michael has been on the Youth Leader Training Staff for 3 years. His fellow Scouts have elected him to The Order of The Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society. He has been to the National Jamboree and last year with other scouts of Troop 5 completed the Philmont High Adventure Trek.

Outside of Scouts and school he earned his Black Belt in Tae-Kwan-Do, worked as a CIT for Brookfield Vacation Bible School and Park and Rec summer programs, and currently works at Jake’s Wayback. Michael has been confirmed at The Brookfield Congregational Church. His other hobbies include playing the guitar (self-taught), playing Frisbee, hiking, camping and his dog!

His parents are John and Monica Pondiccio, younger brother Matthew is a First Class Scout in Troop 5 and older sister Christina is a student at Western Connecticut State University.

It is obvious Michael has had his focus on the Spirit of Scouting for many years. In May 2016 he successfully completed his Eagle Board of Review.

Troop 5 is proud to have had the opportunity to work with such an outstanding citizen and I am certain you share in our pleasure.

As Michael’s father, John Pondiccio quotes from Tom Peters, “Leaders don’t create followers, they create more leaders.” Apparently, leadership runs in the family. John Pondiccio is a life-long scout and so is his younger son, Matthew. Scouting is a family affair for the Pondiccios.