Four Eagle Scouts from Yonkers, and Boy Scout Troop 12, were honored in a Court of Honor ceremony in June. Many of their service projects were completed during COVID over the past year, and Troop 12 Scoutmaster Dave Barca and others wanted to publicly acknowledge their dedication and commitment.
Daniel Solis began his scouting career as a Tiger Scout in Cub Pack 338. As a Webelos he was a founding member of Pack 12 earning his Arrow of Light. He continued as a founding member of Troop 12 holding positions as Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader and was inducted into the Order of the Arrow. Daniel is a 2020 graduate of Salesian High School in New Rochelle where he attended on a full academic scholarship as part of their Math Leader program. At Salesian he was Vice President of the National Honor Society, a pitcher on the varsity baseball team and a member of the marching band along with other clubs and activities. He is currently a student at Siena College in Loudonville, NY studying Political Science and Economics. Daniel’s project was to create a garden for Sacred Heart to raise produce to be distributed through the Sacred Heart Food Pantry. The project included clearing the area, building raised plant beds, a stone pathway and planting vegetables and herbs.
Ethan Hernandez started his Boy Scout path as a Webelo during which he earned his Arrow of Light. He is a founding member of Troop 12 and was Patrol Leader for two years. He was nominated for and became a member of the Order of the Arrow. He enjoyed his Boy Scout years and always welcomed the opportunity to helping younger troops members.
Ethan’s project was to renovate a community garden and 9-11 memorial for Sacres Heart Church. The project included removing an old broken flag pole and replacing it with a new one. Putting decorative paving stones around the boarder, planting new plants and mulch. Ethan graduated high school in 2020 and is currently working on his welding certification at Coop Tech. He looks forward to joining a trades union like his father.
A Yonkers native, Sam Sola attended St. Casimir and Sacred Heart Elementary schools where he first enrolled in the Scouting program. As a scout, Sam served as a Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Troop Librarian and mentor for the younger scouts. During his Scouting career, he earned thirty-nine merit badges, the Ad Altare Dei award, the World Conservation award and the National Outdoor Activity award. He attended the 2017 National Scout Jamboree and the 2021 Seabase Out Island Adventure.
Sam’s Eagle Scout Project was a direct response to a need caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. He built portable hand sanitation stations for Sacred Heart schools. Sam graduated from Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx where he participated in Cross Country Running, Track and Field and Theater. He will be attending SUNY Plattsburgh in the Fall where he will be studying Geology.
Joseph Barca is completing his freshman year at Sacred Heart High School, Yonkers. He began his scouting career at age 5 as a Tiger at Pack 12. He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School from pre-k through 8th grade and has formed a close connection to both the school and Sacred Heart Church. As a cub scout, Joseph earned 40 belt loops and his Arrow of Light as a Webelo. As a Boy Scout, Joseph has earned 32 merit badges and continues working on additional badges. He attended the 2021 Seabase Out Island Adventure and will spend this summer as a counselor in training at Curtis S. Read Scout Camp, where he has attended camp each summer. During his scouting experience, he has served the troop as an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader and Quartermaster. He earned his Parvuli Dei and continues to work on the next religious award, the Ad Altare Dei.
Joseph’s project was to purchase and build shelving for the Sacred Heart Food Pantry. He moved the pantry from the church office to its own space, allowing the pantry to expand its service in our community. He worked to secure food donations that carried the food pantry for 4-5 months and will continue to organize food drives through both the high school and grade school.
Joseph is working towards and is hopeful to join the National Honor Society when he is eligible. He is attending Sacred Heart High School on a presidential scholarship. He is hoping to attend West Point in the future and looks forward to continuing his scouting experience.
Elected Officials in attendance to join the celebration included, City Councilmembers Anthony Merante, Shanae Williams, Tasha Diaz, Shanae Williams, State Senator Shelley Mayer, Assemblyman Nader Sayegh, and Counnty Legislator Ruth Walter.
