Wantagh scout rises to the top

Stephen Vaiano became Wantagh’s newest Eagle Scout during a Court of Honor ceremony on April 16 at Wantagh Memorial Congregational Church. Joined by about 100 fellow Boy Scouts, family members, friends and local dignitaries, Vaiano, 16, was recognized for achieving scouting’s highest honor.

Vaiano is a member of Troop 96. His community service project was done in two parts. Last April, he led a cleanup of the church grounds. Then in June, he and his volunteers installed a flagpole on the front lawn of the church. They built the concrete base with a brick border that included the four compass points. The flagpole was dedicated at a Flag Day ceremony, following Sunday service at the church.

He raised close to $1,800 for the two projects, and 87 volunteers put in 391 hours of service.

Vaiano earned numerous religious awards as well as a troop-record 100 merit badges, far exceeding the 21 necessary to become an Eagle Scout. The Wantagh High School sophomore is also a member of Venturing Crew 130. He got his start in the scouts with Cub Scout Pack 191 in 2006.

Vaiano became the 130th Eagle Scout in the history of Troop 96. Ben Schablin, a fellow Scout, is next up to earn the rank with a Court of Honor ceremony on April 30.