Saturday, November 14, 2026
For Lynbrook High School senior Ian Fishman, working toward becoming an Eagle Scout was much more than earning a prestigious rank — allowing him to give back to his community while honoring a man whose legacy continues to shape it.
Fishman, 17, a member of Lynbrook Boy Scout Troop 336, recently completed a memorial bench at Marion Street Elementary School honoring Dr. Santo Barbarino, who served as Lynbrook school district superintendent from 2008 until his death in 2012.
Although Fishman was only 3 years old when Barbarino died, he was inspired by the lasting impact the educator had on the community.
Barbarino was known for supporting local organizations, athletics, music and the arts, as well as building personal connections with Lynbrook families. According to Fishman, the former superintendent regularly dedicated his time and resources to causes that benefited residents and students.
Fishman expressed hope that his project would reflect that same spirit of community involvement, creating a lasting tribute that would remind future generations of Barbarino's contributions.
Planning for the memorial bench began in March, when Fishman started seeking permission from district administrators and organizing the project. What followed was months of coordination, fundraising and hands-on work to bring his vision to life.
By the end of the summer, he had finalized his plans and secured the necessary approvals. In September, Fishman and fellow Scouts began preparing the site, digging and marking the area directly in front of the football field, next to the bleachers at Marion Street Elementary School, where the bench would eventually stand.
But Fishman wanted the project to involve more than just his fellow Scouts, seeking to bring the broader Lynbrook community together in support of the memorial.
To help fund the project, he organized a talent show at Lynbrook High School on Oct. 16, featuring 11 acts performed by students. The event attracted approximately 100 attendees and raised nearly $1,000.
Audience members picked students Ella Bosiacki, Natalie Ryder and Abigail Berghorn as their top choice for their performance of "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story." The judges selected students Erin Fishman and Eryn Spells as winners for their performance of "Don't Know Why."
Ian Fishman also took the stage, performing the national anthem on violin and Ray Charles' "Georgia on My Mind" on piano, which held special significance because Charles was one of Barbarino's favorite musicians.
In addition to performing, he introduced the acts and spoke about Barbarino's life, helping attendees understand the meaning behind the fundraiser.
Throughout the project, Fishman worked closely with the late superintendent's brother, Al Barbarino, who shared personal memories of him and offered guidance as the plans came together.
Although Fishman never knew the former superintendent personally, those conversations helped him develop a deeper understanding of the man he was honoring.
During the talent show, Al Barbarino also spoke about his brother's life and the bench dedication, giving attendees an opportunity to learn more about the educator's lasting influence.
The completed bench was officially dedicated on Oct. 24, coinciding with Lynbrook High School's homecoming, an event the late superintendent had regularly attended.
Fishman's journey in Scouting began about a decade ago as a Cub Scout. What initially started as an opportunity to make friends eventually developed into a passion for service and leadership.
"The original intention of joining Scouting was just to simply make more friends, but over time, I realized that it was bigger than that," Fishman said.
He said he learned the importance of helping others, developing practical skills and taking responsibility for his community. He particularly encourages younger Scouts to participate in camping trips and outdoor activities, which he believes teach valuable lessons in independence and problem-solving.
Fishman is awaiting final approval from a review committee before officially earning the Eagle Scout rank, Scouting's highest achievement, which he hopes to receive in the coming months.
He expressed gratitude to the residents, fellow Scouts and community members who helped make the project possible.
Fishman, who plans to pursue an engineering degree and minor in music performance in college, said the experience has strengthened his appreciation for community service and inspired him to encourage younger generations to become involved.
"I'm honored by it personally," he said. "I hope to spread my knowledge about Scouting onto a new generation of kids."
His mother, Alana, said watching her son dedicate himself to a project with such personal meaning for the community has been a memorable experience.
"I could not be prouder of Ian and all the hard work he put into bringing this meaningful project to life," she said. "He approached every part of it with thoughtfulness, dedication, and heart — just as he does with everything in life."
She added that the project represented not only her son's accomplishments, but also his commitment to the community that helped shape him.
"Seeing him honor Dr. Barbarino and give back to the Lynbrook community that means so much to him has been incredibly special," she said. "Ian, I'm so proud of you and all you've accomplished."
