Decade of hard work pays off for scout

Becoming an Eagle Scout requires hundreds, if not thousands of hours of commitment to earn merit badges, complete a community service project, attend meetings and fill out lots of paperwork.

For Boy Scout Peter Marin, it was well worth it. “Scouting is like a secondary education,” he said. “It’s time consuming so I guess managing the time was the hardest part.”

Marin, 17, was recognized for his accomplishment at a Court of Honor ceremony on June 1 at Grace Methodist School. He was joined by about 75 people including family, friends, fellow scouts and elected officials.

His path to becoming an Eagle Scout began about a decade ago when he joined Cub Scouts Pack 294 at 7 years old. He then moved on to Pack 109 and is presently a member of Boy Scout Troop 369.

Marin earned the Arrow of Light award, the highest honor in Cub Scouts, in December 2006. He became a Life Scout in November 2010 and went before an Eagle Board of Review last December. Eagle Scout is the highest honor in the Boy Scouts and is a rank attained by only 4 percent of boys who join the organization.

He earned 26 merit badges, more than the required 21. His favorite was the life-saving badge. To earn that, Marin had to dive into a nine-foot-deep lake and pull up bricks from the bottom.

All Eagle Scouts also must complete a community service project. Marin was one of five members of his troop to contribute to Valley Stream’s dog park, which opened last year. He constructed a storage shed and also commissioned the painting of three murals which hang on the back fence.

“It really gives life to the dog park,” Marin said of the murals which were created by local artists.

Marin said he has really valued his time in the scouts. He noted that when he first joined he was very shy. Being a scout helped him break out of his shell, as much interaction and cooperation with others is required to be successful.

He also enjoyed the hiking excursions, ski trips and camping, where he learned skills such as cooking and putting up a tent. Most importantly, he said, being a scout taught him how to be a leader.

Even though he has earned his Eagle rank, Marin plans to stay involved with his troop. He is an assistant senior patrol leader and wants to serve as a role model for other boys looking to become Eagle Scouts.

The Central High School junior is a member of the Language, Art, Math and National honor societies, and has run for the cross-country and track teams. This summer, he will attend a pre-college program at the Pratt Institute to study architecture.

Marin said he couldn’t have done it without a supportive family, father Sal, mother Bonnie and twin sister Emma. It was his father’s support, especially, that helped him through the journey. “He definitely pushed me more than anyone else,” Marin said. “He motivated me to get all the work done.”

He also thanked his scout leaders, as well as his uncle, David, who traveled 150 miles from upstate New York to help Marin construct the shed.

“Boy Scouts has taught me that I can achieve my goals through hard work and dedication,” he said. “I’ve learned that I don’t want to be a person who just gets by, but someone who excels.”

Marin said that being an Eagle is not something he will take lightly. “I definitely have a lot of responsibility,” he said. “I have to maintain my image. I have to go into the future and present myself as a man and a leader.”