Local Eagle Scout wins best in county award for Bayport project

On Monday, Aug. 19, Eagle Scout Patric Gleason was honored by the Suffolk County Council for Eagle Scout Project of the Year in Connetquot High School’s auditorium.

Gleason’s Eagle Scout court included fellow scouts that he had served with since their Cub Scout days, including Michael Abbamonte, Noah Johnson, Christopher Schaffenburger, and Thomas “TJ” Caputo.

In November 2023, Gleason, a member of Bohemia BSA Troop 76, was celebrated by his family, community members, and elected officials in the official unveiling of his Eagle Scout project at Lotus Lake in Bayport that was completed after three years.

The expansive project included a bridge over the Lotus Lake spillway, which had previously featured a makeshift bridge that was unsafe.

“The idea of my Eagle project, the Meadow Croft bridge, began in April 2021 when my troop was working to clean up the area with the Creek Defenders of Sayville and Bayport,” said Gleason. “When I saw the dilapidated bridge, I said to my dad, ‘This will be my Eagle Scout project.’”

Councilman Jim O’Connor (R-2nd District) said, “This is like a public works project,” while marveling at the structure.

Multiple community members spoke about how integral the lake was to their childhoods, including stories of swinging into the lake from a tree, budding scientists analyzing the water of the lake, and even some teenage tomfoolery.

An Eagle Scout project is the opportunity for a Scout (Scouts, B.S.A.), or qualified Venturer or Sea Scout in the Boy Scouts of America (B.S.A.), to demonstrate leadership of others while performing a project for the benefit of their community.

As the capstone of a Scout’s leadership training, it demands a significant effort and commitment.

Some parameters for the project are that it must benefit an organization other than the B.S.A. and it cannot be performed for an individual or a business or be commercial in nature.

Completing an Eagle project is a requirement in order for Scouts to attain the Eagle Scout rank, the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America.

Since forming in 1911, only 4 percent of Scouts have earned this rank, which is approximately 2.5 million students. The requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges; demonstrating Scout Spirit, an ideal attitude based upon the Scout oath and law, service and leadership.

Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout. Additional recognition can be earned through Eagle Palms, awarded for completing additional tenure, leadership, and merit badge requirements.