Thursday, October 1, 2026
April 17 was a day of celebration and accomplishment for West Hempstead’s Cub Scout Pack 240 at its Blue and Gold Banquet. The ceremony, hosted by West Hempstead’s American Legion, celebrated three scouts’ advancements.
Cubmaster George Damanis honored the recipients of the highest honor in Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light, which celebrates a Cub’s accomplishments in outdoor activities, teamwork and fostering friendship and marks their advancement into Scouts BSA Troop 240.
Scouts Steve Fabre, Mahira Michel and Damanis’s son, Chris, lit seven ceremonial candles that symbolized their journeys as Cub Scouts. They were then presented with arrows, and crossed a ceremonial bridge to commemorate their accomplishment. Their families also received arrows.
“The Arrow of Light badge is the only Cub Scout award that can be worn on the scout’s BSA uniform,” Damanis told the honorees. “It serves as a bridge between the two programs, pointing the way toward your new adventures. It is the first step on the path to Eagle Scout, the highest rank in scouting.”
After receiving their arrows, the three scouts were directed to retire their Cub Scout hats and neckerchiefs and exchange them for Troop 240 neckerchiefs.
The theme of the ceremony, Damanis said, was fire and water. He explained that scouts have to light fires and walk through rain, but the true fire is the passion they show for scouting, and they learn to be steady and adaptable like water.
“Tonight, the flame of these candles and the waters of new adventures remind you: Your Cub Scout journey does not end here,” he said. “From the height of this moment, you can see that beyond this mountain lie greater peaks and deeper valleys.”
Nassau County Legislator Olena Nicks, Town of Hempstead Councilman Thomas Muscarella, Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll and former Assemblyman Vincent Muscarella attended the ceremony, and each spoke about the hard work of the honorees and their fellow scouts.
Damanis also honored some of the troop leaders. Former Committee Chair Jesica Hernandez received the Scouter’s Training Award for Leaders, and Den Leaders Luwisa Smart-Rivas and Yvonne Petevka received Den Leader Training Awards.
“I’m grateful to have accomplished so much,” Smart-Rivas said. “Watching this troop grow has been such a proud moment for me.”
She added that she was happy she chose to participate in the scouting program when she moved to West Hempstead during the pandemic. “I was looking for activities for my kids to do, and wanted them to learn and make friends,” Smart-Rivas said. “I learned the program was run with the help of volunteers, so I got involved along with my kids, and ended up enjoying participating a lot.”
She also received a five-year service star. Smart-Rivas and Damanis have both been a part of Pack 240 for five years, during which it has grown from nine scouts to 30.
Damanis also announced that Pack 240 would continue activities after the school year ends, and become a “summer pack.” It would potentially organize a picnic and hike at Hempstead Lake State Park, and a visit to the Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center.
“Scouts, just know: Pack 240 is on the move all year long,” Damanis said.
Damanis has a history in the Scouts. When he was a kid, he was a Cub Scout and earned his Arrow of Light. When his son said he wanted to join the scouts, Damanis joined with him in his leadership position. “Scouting has been a large part of my life,” he said.
Chris Damanis said he hoped to accomplish more than his father or grandfather did. “I’m one step closer to becoming an Eagle Scout, and becoming the highest rank in my family,” Chris said. “My dad got to the second-highest rank, and my pop got to the third highest.”
