Shoreham-Wading River: Court of Honor held for Boy Scout Troop 94; two members attain rank of Eagle Scout

A Court of Honor for Boy Scout Troop 94 was held on June 18 at St. John the Baptist Hall in Wading River to recognize two young men, Johnathan Kongoletos and Justin Petito, who have risen to Eagle Scout, the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America. During their eight years of scouting, Johnathan and Justin have held the ranks of six BSA titles, earned over 30 merit badges and completed service projects that benefited the Suffolk County Marine Environmental Learning Center in Southold and Wildwood Acres in Wading River. For their Eagle projects, Justin restored a wall in Wildwood Acres and Johnathan restored an entire picnic area that dated to the 1980s.

Donna Eddy presided over the ceremony, her last Court of Honor as she leaves her position of advancement chairperson after 14 years of service. Fred Finter, deacon of St. John the Baptist R.C. Church and a proud affiliate of the BSA, gave the invocation.

Scoutmaster Raymond Clancy spoke of Justin as a born leader and of Johnathan’s patience with younger scouts as a mentor in the Lightning Patrol. “Both of these young men have left lasting impressions on the scouts of this troop.”

Dan Losquadro has a personal and political connection to Troop 94, which is not only in his district, but his former troop. He wanted those gathered to know that “despite what you see in politics and in the news, there are good people in the world.” Rich Rossin of the National Catholic Committee on Scouting, cited three Fs that he’s sure carried Johnathan and Justin through their journey: family, friends and faith. He presented them with letters from Bishop Murphy along with a gift of rosary beads. In addition, Suffolk County Legislator Ed Romaine presented the boys with a proclamation.

Justin urged the young scouts to “just do it.” “You all can be Eagle Scouts,” he said. He thanked those who supported him in his project: Heritage Paint, Wildwood Acres Pavilion, Mr. Clancy, the Wern family and all the adult leaders in the troop, giving special thanks to deceased Scoutmaster Dr. Pohl and to his mentor, his Uncle Will.

Johnathan thanked his parents and Ms. Eddy for her guidance and motivation and gave recognition to his mentor, Michael Wern.