6 Northport HS Graduates Achieve Eagle Scout Status

EAST NORTHPORT, NY — Six Northport High School graduates achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest honor in Boy Scouts, Troop 474 announced.

Max Hagerman, Christopher Monda, Kyle Nock, Luc Wagner, Athan Zarkadas and Nake Zarko are officially Eagle Scouts, while Andrew Monda was celebrated for having completed all of the Eagle Scout requirements as he awaits a final Board of Review.

"The Eagle scout badge stands for strength of character," said Mike Tambone, scoutmaster of Troop 474, in a news release. "It means that a Scout set a goal and worked to achieve it. It’s not only a symbol of what these young men have accomplished but, more importantly, it represents their potential as they grow into manhood."

Tambone also encouraged the Scouts to use their skills and experience to make their world a better place.

The ceremony was attended by friends, relatives and Scout families where each Eagle Scout acknowledged the guidance and support they received from mentors in their lives including mothers, fathers and siblings as fellow Eagle Scouts looked on and participated in the events of the night.

Tambone, Robert Thall, Troop 474 assistant scoutmaster, and David Hunt, Scouting America Suffolk County Council executive board chairman, were joined by members of troop and council leadership to recognize the accomplishments of the newly minted Eagle Scouts.

"You have overcome adversity and persevered in your life in ways that are inspiring to those around you," said one Eagle Scout parent, Lisa Cannata, of her son, Athan Zarkadas, and his experience with Troop 474. "I am forever grateful to all the scouts and adult mentors of our Troop 474 family who believed in Athan and provided guidance that helped raise him into the person he is today: an intellectual and spirited young man. I couldn’t be more proud!"

The rank of Eagle Scout is Scouting’s highest rank with only 4 percent of Scouts earning the rank nationally, as it is an understatement to call it an "arduous process," according to Troop 474.

"It is the culmination of their years-long efforts to learn camping, outdoor, first aid, life skills and gain hands-on leadership experience leading small groups of Scouts," the troop wrote. "The single most important Eagle Scout requirement is giving back to the community. A variety of time-intensive projects – all of which included proposing, planning, executing, fundraising and team management – were executed by these young men."

The Eagle Scout projects were:

• Max Hagerman refurbished the small commons courtyard at Northport High School.
• Chris Monda installed steps and revamped the dog walking path at the North Fork Animal Welfare League shelter in Aquebogue.
• Kyle Nock installed raised flower beds at a Northport VA residential hall to support horticultural therapy.
• Luc Wagner installed sculling boat racks at Long Island Rowing Center in Northport.
• Athan Zarkadas built a new, winterized duck coop at Elijah Farms in South Huntington.
• Nate Zarko installed benches for the 5th grade playground at Northport Middle School.
• Andrew Monda refurbished the US Army Jeep installation at the New York State Veteran’s home in Stony Brook.

Each Scout was celebrated on June 10 at an Eagle Court of Honor held at St. Paul’s Lutheran
Church Youth Center in East Northport.