Troop 72 Eagle Scout Bios
Grant Zeigler – Eagle Project (Life Saving Buoy, Tamaques Park Pond)
Grant was awarded his Eagle Scout rank on June 8, 2023. Grant constructed and installed a lifesaving buoy and rescue station near Tamaques Park pond.
Grant has been active with the BSA since he was in first grade. He has been an Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader in Troop 72 and has played on both the football and wrestling teams at Westfield High School.
Liam Kilbourn – Eagle Project (Clearing Invasive Plants/Planting Shrubs & Flowers - Deserted Village, Union County Park)
Liam was awarded his Eagle Scout rank on November 1, 2023. Liam cleared out invasive species and harmful plants, he installed shrubs and flowers that were beneficial to the ecosystem of The Deserted Village, a Union County Park.
Liam has attended Sabattis Adventure Camp and Rodney Scout Reservation. He has been an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader for Troop 72 and is a part of the Westfield High School Marching band.
Andrew Matus – Eagle Project (Reading Library, McKinley Eelementary School)
Andrew’s Eagle Scout project was the creation of an outdoor reading area and Library for the McKinley Elementary School in Westfield, NJ.
Andrew worked closely with his former principal, Marc Biunno and school Secretary Joan Penczak to determine the location and then plan the placement of the benches, plants and library box. Planned and completed during the “COVID-19 Pandemic”, Andrew led small teams of Scouts and their families to complete the work in stages, allowing everyone to participate safely. Later, Andrew also collected books from members of Troop 72 to place in the library and has since worked to maintain the site and to refill the books in the library.
Andrew was very pleased to hear from his younger sister the kids at McKinley make use of the area daily!
Lucas Buonopane – Eagle Project (Cross Country Long Distance Markers - Tamaques Park)
Lucas Buonopane was awarded his Eagle Scout rank on September 15th, 2022.
Lucas's Eagle Scout project consisted of setting up distance markers along Westfield High School's Boys and Girls Cross Country Team’s course in Tamaques Park. This project was meant to bring attention to the course and engage the community. It also added something meaningful to his cross-country team.
To set up these distance markers, Lucas cemented 4X4X6 wood beams every half mile of the course. He then screwed metal signs displaying the distance, the Westfield athletics logo, and a QR code which sends you to a map of the course.
Aidan P. Sheppard – Eagle Project (American Legion Storage Shed)
Aidan joined Pack 172 at age 8 and began his scouting career. He enjoyed camping, the Pinewood Derby, and the overnight trips at different places like the Franklin Institute, Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum, and the Camden Aquarium. He then joined Troop 72 in 2015. He became a Patrol Leader, Den Chief, and an Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. While other scouts attended Philmont, Aidan chose to attend the World Scout Jamboree at the Summit Bechtel Reserve (West Virginia) with other scouts/leaders from Patriots’ Path Council Troop 123. Over 42,000 scouts/leaders attended the Jamboree from over 170 countries, Aidan enjoyed getting to know people from other cultures and trading Troop neckerchiefs/other items with them. Finally, Aidan went to Sea Base in 2018 doing a sailboat adventure around the Florida Keys.
Throughout grades K-9, Aidan played baseball as his main sport, he played for the Westfield Baseball team in the Fall/Spring and the travel team in Summer. For basketball, Aidan played on the In-Town team and the Holy Trinity basketball in Middle School, he also played soccer and flag football at certain points.
In High School, Aidan was part of the Westfield Marching Blue Devils band and Winter Guard for 4 years, both placed high in many of the competitions throughout the years. Aidan’s biggest interests in High School are Science and Math, he will attend West Virginia University for a B.S. in Physics in Fall 2022.
In the next chapter of his life, Aidan will follow the Scout Motto, Law & Oath to be a good citizien, while using the life skills he learned being a scout to help others.
Dhillon G. Patel – Eagle Project (Tamaques Park Trail Restoration/Enhancement)
Initially, Dhillon was reluctant to join Scouts. His mom coerced him to attend an information meeting at the end of kindergarten. There onward, Dhillon was hooked. He entered scouting as a Tiger Cub at James Madison Primary School (Edison, NJ) in Pack 66 and later moved to Tamaques Elementary School in Pack 273. As a Cub Scout, he enjoyed participating in annual pinewood derbies, camporees, and more. His father was the Packs’ Cubmaster, which encouraged Dhillon to embrace everything Scouting offered.
In 5th grade, Dhillon joined Troop 72, where he continued to learn and eventually teach other members the skills that helped them thrive in the Scout community. At an early age, he was selected for National Youth Leadership Training. Dhillon has completed countless merit badges and dozens of camping trips with the Troop. Advancing through the ranks has helped Dhillon master valuable life skills, including logistics, fireside cooking, and first aid. Equally valuable were the opportunities to hold several leadership positions during his time in the Troop, from assistant Patrol leader through Senior Patrol Leader.
One of Dhillon’s favorite Scouting activities has been traveling annually to Troop 72’s private campsite on Earincliff Island in Canada. Attending the National Scout Jamboree, sailing the Florida Keys at Sea Base, and surviving the strenuous hike at Philmont Scout Ranch were some of his other highlights through his Scouting career.
Since he was old enough, Dhillon has shown an entrepreneurial spirit by starting several small businesses, including snow removal in the winter and pressure washing in the spring, dog walking, selling sneakers, and babysitting. Over the past several years, he’s taught many children tennis and assisted in several tennis clinics, all while playing varsity tennis for Westfield High School.
Dhillon’s Eagle Scout project represents the culmination of his experience in Scouting and the knowledge he’s gained from many diverse and enterprising projects during his middle and high school years. Dhillon rehabilitated and improved 2 miles of wooded trails in Tamaques Park, Westfield’s largest park, making it a special place for the community with safety improvements, a new trail map, trail blazers, and educational signage. Dhillon successfully navigated the complex process of a municipal improvement project, which included numerous back-and-forth emails to the town, countless conversations with community leaders, multiple design revisions, and ultimately the labor hours required to complete the work.
Only Eagle Scouts and their families truly understand what it is like going through the entire process from beginning to end. Learning how to be patient, work with and motivate others, and be dedicated to a final goal is what is required to accomplish this impressive task. Dhillon is grateful for his supportive family team, including his parents, Parag & Sonal Patel, younger brother Deven, his loving grandparents, and cousins, aunts, and uncles. Dhillon is very excited for the next chapter of his life as he enters Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Business. The experiences he has acquired from Scouting will undoubtedly help push him through any challenges on his road to success.
Richard J. Panikiewsky – Eagle Project (Westfield Dept of Public Works American Flag Tall Cabinet)
Richie joined scouting as a Tiger Cub with Franklin School Pack 172 during Fall of 2010. He quickly realized how much he would enjoy scouting
As a member of Pack 172, Richie participated in countless activities with his Dad. Camping, Scouting for Food, and the Pinewood Derby were some of his favorites. As Richie approached the Arrow of Light rank, he realized he wanted to join the Boy Scouts and pursue the rank of Eagle along with all the adventures that come with scouting. Richie joined Troop 72 in Spring of 2015 and enjoyed all of the opportunity that comes with being a Boy Scout.
One of Richie’s first trips was camping at Earincliffe Island for a week, where he learned many fundamental skills that he would use throughout his scouting career. He improved at activities like fishing, first aid, and his personal favorite, swimming. During Richie’s fourth trip to Earincliffe Island, he set the Troop 72 record for the fastest mile swim time. However, the things that Richie enjoyed most about Earincliffe were the lifelong friends he made, and the memories of sharing early morning fishing trips with his Dad.
As Richie progressed in rank, he grew interested in experiencing the high adventure trips that the Boy Scouts offer. During Summer of 2018, Richie and his Dad went to the Florida Keys to experience Sea Base, a week long sail boating trip during which Richie and his scouting friends swam, fished, and created fun memories. While Sea Base was a thrilling trip, Richie decided that he wanted to embark on a journey that would bring him to the pinnacle of scouting.
During Summer 2019, Richie, along with his dad and seven other crew members, went to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. While there, Richie served as the Chaplain Aide for his crew, who had call name 712-X1. The adventure was very strenuous, but Richie and the other crew members powered through and reaped the benefits of their hard work. Richie participated in activities like black powder musket shooting, blacksmithing, and camping on top of Mount Philips at an elevation of 11,736 feet. Richie enjoyed all of the activities, but the thing he enjoyed most about Philmont was the lifelong memories he made not only with his friends, but mainly with his Dad. Richie and his Dad still talk and laugh about the countless memories they will share forever that resulted from their Philmont adventure.
Beyond scouting, Richie participated in Westfield High School’s Marching Band, where he served as the Trumpet Section Leader in 2021. Richie has numerous memories from each year he was a part of the Marching Band. Some of the most important things Richie learned from Marching Band include working for delayed gratification, making and holding commitments for the benefit of a group, and finding ways to get the best out of other people. Additionally, being early to commitments is a principle that Richie has continuously executed ever since having learned the concept through repeated drilling from his teachers, Mr. Vitale and Mr. Sindorf.
Richie will be graduating as part of Westfield High School’s 2022 Senior class. He will be continuing his education at the University of Cincinnati where he will study Nursing. While the road to Eagle Scout was difficult and presented many obstacles, the journey has prepared Richie for whatever may lie ahead in his future. Richie will always rely on the skills, principles, and morals he learned on his journey to Eagle Scout to navigate his way through the future chapters of his life.
Peter Nazzaro – Eagle Project (Tech Essential for Beginners You Tube Tutorial)
From the beginning of my scouting career, I wanted to pursue the same goal as my Dad when he was my age. He became an Eagle Scout in 1986 as a part of Troop 72. I took it upon myself to try my best and become an Eagle Scout from the moment I joined Troop 72.
Being a part of Scouting allowed me to make friends, learn skills, and experience the outdoors to their fullest. As a prior Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 72, I hope to maintain my leadership skills and enjoyment helping others while I study Management of Business at Kean University. I want to continue to use everything I have learned in Scouting and live by the Scout Oath and Law daily.
Evan Murphy McNamara – Eagle Project (Watchung Reservation Red Trail Deer Exclosures Restoration/Enhancement)
Evan has been involved in Scouting since he was in the first grade with Franklin Elementary PAC 172 and then joined Troop 72 in fifth grade. He has grown each step of the way. From the Pinewood Derby, Scouting for Food, Camping trips, Service Projects, Canada, Seabase Keys and St. Thomas, and the Eagle Scout Project, Evan has experienced opportunities in leadership, service, physical fitness, and friendship. Scouting has helped him develop communication skills and develop confidence in group settings.
Evan has been fortunate to share his scouting experience through all these years with each of the boys being honored today. Evan participated in many activities, and has many fond memories, but he enjoyed the outdoor activities the most. He has camped in the rain, snow, and sweltering heat and sometimes without his sleeping bag. Memorable trips for Evan included Erincliff Island in Canada, Seabase Florida Keys and Seabase St. Thomas.
Evan started high school at Hunterdon Prep and finished at Collier High School in Morganville, NJ. He is a National Society of High School Scholars honor student making the honor roll every marking period. He persevered through the COVID challenge.
Evan has a love of the great outdoors and especially enjoys marine life in all types of water environments. At 3 years old he began lake fishing with hot dogs as bait and has matured to saltwater fishing with bait fish. He has a great casting arm and has taught himself fly fishing in the rivers and streams of NJ and now saltwater fly fishes. He and his dad spend every weekend traveling up and down the coast of NJ and west to lakes and gorges to catch and release. Practice makes perfect is his motto.
He is an avid fisherman and loves the pursuit of the ‘big one’, pursuing every river, ocean and bay he can find. He will be attending Mitchell College in New London, CT in the fall to study Marine Biology and Environmental Studies.
George A. Kircher - Eagle Project (St Paul’s Episcopal Church Outdoor Garden with Lighting)
George attended Tamaques elementary school, where he joined Cub Scout Pack 273 and over the years earned his Arrow of Light. He played a leadership role in getting Pack 273 back into camping; both he and his father organized and attended the first camping event which started with just the two of them. Three years later the Pack had 25+ scouts and parents attending camping trips as a pack. In elementary school, George took part in the boy’s gymnastics team at Surgent’s, karate (earning his junior brown belt) and soccer. As a soccer player, George was a natural goalie: aggressive, fearless and with a loud voice. George loved to fish, camp and be in the woods at an early age; scouting fit him perfectly. George enjoyed the Pinewood derby building and racing cars and even participated in the district level competition.
As elementary school came to an end, it was time to pick a Boy Scout Troop. George toured different troops and when he saw the presentation and pictures and heard of the tales of adventure on Earincliffe Island from Troop 72, the deal was sealed! As he left the meeting and for days afterwards, it was all he could talk about at home and with his friends at school. Upon joining Troop 72, George dove headfirst into scouting, attending meetings, camping, hiking, orienteering, swimming, earning merit badges and advancing through the ranks. On Earincliffe Island, George discovered his love of sailing and kayaking. Both he and a fellow once towed a felled tree trunk, using kayaks, around the island so a retaining wall could be repaired behind the kitchen area. The water carnival held a special place with George as he wanted desperately to sink the senior raft. George also acted as Senior Patrol Leader for the Canada trip in 2017.
As George matured in scouting, Troop 72’s High Adventure trips became highpoints. Overnight canoeing on the Batsto River in south Jersey was a fun trip, even when the group had to spike camp in the rain after one of the canoes capsized and flooded. The Batsto River requires significant canoeing skills given its narrow width, sharp turns and slow rate of flow. During the 2019 Philmont Trek for Troop 72, crew 712-X1, George served as Lead Navigator! Prepping for Philmont was tough work and George learned a lot about leadership, teamwork and, most importantly, about himself. While the crew never got lost, there were some tense moments as the crew learned to listen and work together. Some of George’s favorite Philmont moments included, Garden of the Gods, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, musket shooting and summiting Mount Phillips at 11,736 feet, and being chased off the top of Urraca Mesa, 8,531 feet high (the location most frequently struck by lightning). Although the ominous thunderstorm that rolled into the mesa was not really “fun”, it confirmed just how fast a motivated scout can hike. The only trip that eclipsed Philmont was Seabase 2020, and yes, despite COVID-19 Seabase happened. George went with Troop 273. After hurricane Isaias destroyed the port on Abaco Island, the trip moved to St. Thomas in the U.S.V.I. George loved sailing, snorkeling, fishing, sleeping on deck and just being out on the water.
Outside of Scouting, George served as President of the Jeremiah Crane Garthwaite Society of the National Society of the Children of the American Revolution (N.S.C.A.R.) for two years as a high-school sophomore and junior. He attended the N.S.C.A.R. national convention in Washington, D.C. in April 2019 but the 2020 convention became virtual due to the pandemic. In addition, George attended the Lake Delaware Boys’ Camp, a Christian military-style camp, in 2015 and 2016, where the boys slept in wall tents for 6 weeks and engaged in various activities, including daily services, parades, fishing, games and sports.
Matthew P. Lampert - Eagle Project (Junior League of Elizabeth/Plainfield Trash/Recycling Shed)
Matthew began his scouting career as a Webelo in Cub Scout Pack 62 in Duxbury, MA. Following his family’s move to Westfield, Matt joined Franklin School Pack 172.
Matt was a recognizable and active participant in countless Scout activities in Westfield for 10 years: He held several leadership positions in Troop 72, attended the Troop 72 Canada trip for 6 summers in a row, worked on the initial overhaul of the Westminster Hall Scout closet, participated in innumerable camping trips, completed NYLT training, finished a 12 day/100-mile Philmont trek in Summer 2016, and attended the National Jamboree in Summer 2017. Members of the troop, friends, family, and acquaintances all know Matt for his calm and good-natured friendliness, easy smile, and sense of humor.
Beyond scouting, Matt attended the same summer camp – Camp Burgess in Sandwich, MA – for 10 consecutive summers and became a Junior Counselor in his 11th year. In his first summer, he was the youngest camper at Camp Burgess. Matt is still very loyal to the camp and the friends he made there. Anyone who often sees Matt knows his wardrobe is filled with “Camp Burgess” t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts, and sweatpants.
During his Freshman & Sophomore years at Westfield High School, Matt was a member of the Westfield Crew Team. For his Junior & Senior years, Matt turned his attention to working part-time jobs, first at Jersey Mike’s in Westfield and then at Benvenuti in Garwood. He has proven to be a “go-to” trusted employee, always punctual and ready to work, never missing a shift, and frequently substituting when others are sick or unavailable.:
Matt graduated from Westfield High School as a member of the “COVID class” of 2020 and just completed his freshman year at the University of New Hampshire, where he intends to major in business administration.
Aidan A. Borges – Eagle Project (Presbyterian Church Nursery Schoool Garden)
Aidan has been involved in Scouting since he was in the first grade. He has grown each step of the way. From the Pinewood Derby, Scouting for Food, Service Projects, Canada, Philmont, and Eagle Scout Project, Aidan has experienced opportunities in leadership, service, physical fitness, and morality.
Aidan’s first experience in Boy Scouts was with Troop 77 in Westfield, and after his first year, he transferred to Troop 72 and found a group of Scouts that will be lifelong friends. Aidan participated in many activities, but he enjoyed the outdoor activities the most. He has camped in the rain, snow, and sweltering heat. He learned the importance of planning, packing, and organizing for a camping trip, hiking and canoeing. Aidan took the opportunity to learn knots, cooking, first aid, riflery, and more. Memorable trips for Aidan included Erincliff Island in Canada, National Jamboree, and the highlight, Philmont Ranch.
Aidan learned about leadership through Scouting. He held positions in the troop as well as attending National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). He enjoyed teaching the younger scouts the basics and helping them advance. Aidan also learned about leadership from his love of the art of Karate. Aidan practices Ryute Renmei and earned his Black Belt in the same month that he earned his Eagle rank. In his freshman year in high school, he started working at the Dojo and became Sensei Aidan. Teaching the younger students about the art, confidence, and perseverance provided tremendous satisfaction. Aidan also won awards at karate tournaments, and his specialty was katas with Katanas (swords).
Aidan had his sights on being an Eagle Scout early on, but the road was not always easy. He has the attitude that once you start something, you should finish it. This mantra and the success he has had with Scouting and Karate will serve him well in future success in college, career, and life.
Jackson O’Brien – Eagle Project (Meditation Garden at Presbyterian Church in Westfield)
Jackson is one of five children of Sean and Josefina O’Brien. He is a graduate of Westfield High School and currently a freshman at Bucknell University.
At Westfield High, Jackson was an honor roll student and the Senior Class President, as well as being the captain of the freshman soccer and varsity track teams. Jackson was also a multi-year delegate to Model U.N. and started/ran a profitable dog-walking business.
Brendan Loder - Eagle Project (Westfield Rescue Squad Shed Construction)
The oldest child of Elizabeth and Christopher Loder, Brendan began his Scouting career in the 2nd Grade while a student at Wilson Elementary School. He especially enjoyed Pinewood Derby and making friends with his fellow Scouts that continue to this day.
His Scouting experience has taken him on numerous camping and high adventure trips such as Philmont and Sea Base. Brendan credits Scouting with teaching him important life and leadership skills.
Brendan is an avid wrestler and served as Co-Captain of the 2018-19 Westfield High School Wrestling Team which won the Union County Conference and placed second in the State Sectional Tournament. Brendan won three wrestling titles this year (Union County, Panther Invitational and Delaware Valley), and received the WHS Most Valuable Senior and Gary Kehler "Most Heart" awards.
Brendan intends to continue his academic and wrestling career at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.
James McCutcheon – Eagle Project (Center for Great Expectations Book Drive and 20 Shelving Units)
James has been involved in Scouting since he was in First Grade. He has grown each step along the way. From the Pinewood Derby, Scouting for Food, Service Projects, Canada, Philmont, and his Eagle Scout Project, James has experienced opportunities in leadership, service, physical fitness and morality.
Throughout his life James has kept his Scout Oath and has done his best to do his duty to God and his country. James has been an active member in both the parish of St. Helen’s in Westfield and the Westfield community at large. At St. Helen’s he has participated in many church programs including student retreats, volunteering at a local food bank, and delivering meals to homebound seniors. More recently, James has served as a peer minister at St. Helens, mentoring and counseling younger members of the parish where he helps guide them through difficult teen years to live a life serving and honoring God.
James has followed the principles of the Scout Oath of staying physically fit, mentally awake and morally straight. Before high school, James stayed physically fit by his year-long participation in sports like soccer, baseball, flag football and basketball in the town’s youth leagues. In high school, James concentrated on running and has been a member of the cross-country team, winter track and spring track programs all four years. He was voted Captain of the team in each of the three seasons in his senior year by his teammates.
He has stayed mentally awake by being open to learning both in and outside of school. In school his love of learning led him to excel and become an excellent student as evidenced by his being inducted into the National Honor Society and being named to the High School’s honor roll every semester.
Alexander McGrail – Eagle Project (Westfield Town Bell Monument Relocation)
Alexander followed his brother into Boy Scouts and also started his scouting life as a five-year-old in the UK. He moved to the US at the age of nine and joined the Wilson School cub scouts as a Webelo. Michael and Alexander joined Troop 72 together in 2012.
Alexander took advantage of everything Troop 72 had to offer. Philmont was a particular highlight for him. He has filled multiple leadership roles in the troop including that of Quartermaster, Scribe and Senior Patrol Leader, teaching leadership skills to young scouts.
It is in academics that Alexander particularly excels. He recently won the Westfield High School award for excellence in History and will start at the College of William & Mary in August where his current plans are to double major in History and Political Science and then possibly go on to study Law.
He is very interested in current events and politics and won a Premier Delegate award this year at Model UN. At this year’s Youth & Government conference he was recommended as a delegate for the Conference on National Affairs in North Carolina which he will attend in July.
He has played the tenor saxophone for a number of years, including four years in the WHS marching band. As befits a British boy, he has also played soccer since he could walk!!
Alexander has a strong work ethic and has been STEM and Scoutcraft Director at the Watchung Cub Scout Day Camp, is currently working as a soccer referee for Westfield Soccer Association and can regularly be seen on the checkout at the Stop & Shop supermarket. These jobs are probably the place where he has learned the most useful life skills.
Michael McGrail – Eagle Project (FISH Project Storage Room Renovation, Presbyterian Church in Westfield)
Michael has been a scout since the age of five, first in the UK and then in the US. It was one of his non-negotiables, along with soccer, when he moved to New Jersey at the age of 11. He joined Troop 72 with his brother, Alexander, in 2012.
Michael loved everything about Troop 72 but especially any activities outdoors (he made an exception for Freezeree!!!). He was in his element digging down into a foot of snow to pitch a tent, hoisting a greased watermelon out of the water in Canada and climbing Mount Baldy in low-oxygen conditions at Philmont.
Elsewhere in his life, Michael was – and continues to be – an athlete, currently playing club soccer and Ultimate Frisbee at Marist College, plus as many intramural sports as he can cram into the space between academic classes.
He had a broad range of interests and was also a four-year member of the Westfield High School marching band that won a national championship.
Michael started work at the end of 8th grade and has been employed since then as Sports and Games Director at the Watchung Cub Scout Summer Camp, a soccer referee for Westfield Soccer Association and at Stop & Shop supermarket. These jobs are probably the place where he has learned the most useful life skills.
Michael is still waiting to find his career passion but he is studying Sports Communications with minors in Business and Spanish and will spend the fall semester in Madrid, Spain.