Boy Scout rewarded for leadership

Scouting is about leading by example, and 18-year-old Randy Licata embodies that ideal. The new Eagle Scout spearheaded a project to beautify his former elementary school, and his reward is a distinction that will last a lifetime.

Licata, of Boy Scout Troop 239, officially earned his Eagle rank, scouting’s highest honor, at a Court of Honor ceremony at the Seaford American Legion hall on Jan. 17. The 2015 Seaford High School graduate is now a freshman at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

A community service project is required to become an Eagle Scout. In 2013, Licata led the beautification of the front of the Seaford Manor Elementary School on Washington Avenue, where he attended and which also houses the district’s administrative offices. The project included removing old bushes and installing 155 feet worth of new flower beds, trees and bushes. Wooden borders around existing trees were also replaced.

All of the work was done on Sept. 21, 2013, with the help of about 30 volunteers from his troop. Licata said the project sharpened his leadership and communication skills as he had to delegate responsibilities.

Before his project began, Licata had to have the project approved by both scout leaders and school officials. He made a presentation to teachers at the Manor School. “They were really happy that I was willing to do it,” he said. “I got a lot of compliments.”

Principal Debra Emmerich said she remembers Licata’s project quite well, and sent him a letter recently congratulating him on becoming an Eagle Scout. She noted that since Licata did his work, other Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have done various beautification projects at the school.

“He did a wonderful thing for the school,” Emmerich said. “He’s just an all-around wonderful individual. He’s going to do great things.”

Emmerich noted that Manor had a double-dose of support in 2013 as Licata’s project was done around the same time that the PTA funded a new playground.

On his journey to Eagle Scout, Licata earned 27 merit badges, exceeding the 21 that are required. He said he favorite was astronomy, which he earned at a camp upstate where more stars are visible than on Long Island.

Overall, he said his favorite part of scouting was meeting new people from all over the state. Every year, Licata attended a week-long summer excursion at Camp Trimount. It was a unique experience, he explained, as no phones or electronics were allowed.

He also enjoyed regular trips to Morey’s Piers in Wildwood, N.J. in which he and fellow scouts would camp on the beach, and a Boston historical trail trip in 2010.

In high school, Licata was his class president for four years and a member of the Model Congress and Mathletes. He was also part of the robotics teams, serving as vice president for two years and president his senior year.

At RPI, he is studying computer and systems engineering, and is considering a career in robotics.

About 90 people attended his Eagle Scout ceremony, and he received citations from numerous officials. He was one of seven scouts in his troop to complete the requirements in 2015, and Licata attributed much of his success to his Eagle coach and former Scoutmaster, Tom Cleary. “He just pushed me to do my best,” Licata said of the man he presented with the mentor pin.

Licata said that becoming an Eagle Scout has been a goal of his since he first joined the scouts 11 years ago. He remembers looking up to the older scouts, and wanting to emulate their success.

“I can’t be happier,” Licata said. “It’s the end reward and it’s definitely the goal I was working toward. It’s an achievement that follows me for the rest of my life.”