The Newest Eagle Scouts
By Brad Finkelstein
Rockaway’s own Troop 147 held its third ever Eagle Scout Court of Honor, recognizing the three scouts who have now obtained Scouting’s highest rank: Jeremy Finkelstein, Harrison Rosenhaus and Zachary Finkelstein.
They join Matthew Rosenhaus, Phillip Rosenhaus and Timothy Foley in achieving this rank. Matthew served as the evening’s master of ceremonies, held at the Knights of Columbus on Beach 90th St. on November 30.
Only 6% of all young men and women that join Scouts BSA achieve the Eagle Scout rank. All three boys started with Cub Pack 147 and crossed over after achieving Arrow of Light. They worked their way up the ranks, starting with Scout, then Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life before starting their Eagle Scout projects.
Following the opening ceremonies, the boys were presented with awards from several elected officials and community groups, including State Senator Joseph Addabbo Jr. and Assemblywoman Stacey Pheffer Amato. Representing the Knights of Columbus was Owen Loof, Grand Knight Council #2672, while William Peist gave the new Eagle Scouts awards from the Masons of New York State. Numerous other awards were on the table behind the podium.
Because Harrison’s project benefitted Gateway National Recreation Area, he received an award from Dave Taft, unit coordinator who represented the park.
The boys then presented their parents, Sandra and Bradley Finkelstein and Debra and Todd Rosenhaus with their pins. In addition, both Jeremy and Harrison gave a mentor’s pin to Debra Rosenhaus, while Zachary gave one to his brother. Additional mentor pins were given to Scoutmaster Nancy Foley, Cubmaster Peggy Whelan and, from Jeremy, Queens High School for Information, Research and Technology (QIRT) assistant principal Matthew Levine.
Jeremy’s project benefited QIRT and was conducted shortly after pandemic restrictions were lifted. Sensing a need in a community hard hit economically by the pandemic, he raised funds and purchased toiletries and other needs and distributed them throughout the school.
During his speech, Jeremy addressed the current scouts at Troop 147, noting while joining Scouts for social and life skills was important and was his focus the first few years he was a member, it was also never too late to start “ranking up” and getting this achievement of Eagle Scout.
Harrison worked to preserve and repair the fence around the Community Garden in the Fort Tilden section of Gateway National Recreation Area.
For the benefit of the New York Blood Center, Zachary coordinated a blood drive. He was able to obtain the space for the event thanks to Temple Beth El of Rockaway Park. Even though it was held on a day when the Canadian wildfires affected air quality in the city, the amount of blood collected burst through the goals set.
If your son is between the ages of 11 and 18 and is interested in scouting, Troop 147 meets every Thursday at 7:15 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Council #2672 (333 Beach 90th St.).
In addition, for boys and girls who are in kindergarten through fifth grade, Cub Pack 147 meets at the Knights of Columbus every Thursday at 6 p.m.
For further information, please contact trooppack147@gmail.com.
