Two Boy Scouts from Verona’s Troop 2 became Eagle Scouts, the highest honor in the Boy Scouts of America, at a ceremony on May 23 at Notre Dame Church in North Caldwell. Speakers at the ceremony for Mark Bovich (left) and Paul Wojtal (right) included Verona Mayor Teena Schwartz, who issued Township Proclamations on the boys’ achievements; Verona Chief of Police Doug Huber; Senior Patrol Leader Steven Rust, and Scoutmasters Bruce Williams, Dave Canavan, Glenn Elliot, Nick Timpanaro and Richard Plessner. Jason Lager from Congressman Bill Pascrell‘s office also made remarks.
The double ceremony for Bovich and Wojtal echoed another double ceremony in 2008. That year, Bovich’s older brother Lawrence and Wojtal’s older brother Peter also received their Eagle Scout rank together. In a tribute to family ties, the older brothers each assisted their younger siblings as they took the Eagle Scout oath.
To become an Eagle Scout, a life rank, a boy scout must earn at least 21 merit badges and complete an extensive service project that he plans and manages. Mark Bovich earned his honor by collecting over 3,000 books and building bookshelves for a Newark public school library; Paul Wojtal built a butterfly garden at Our Lady of the Lake school.
Congratulations to two fine young men! Great accomplishment!