Community Corner

Jeremy Barr Becomes Newest Eagle Scout in BSA Troop 164

Yorktown's Jeremy Samuel Barr of BSA Troop 164, became the newest Eagle scout over the weekend.

Jeremy Samuel Barr of BSA Troop 164 is Yorktown's newest Eagle scout.

His Eagle Scout Service Project consisted of major improvements to Turkey Mountain Park in Yorktown Heights, specifically the upper White Trail. He led a team of scouts and adults by creating erosion control waterbars using logs, narrowing the trailway in specified areas, and eliminating dangerous shortcuts by filling in sections of the trail that were misused. Another enhancement was the removal of a great deal of invasive plant species that grew in the parking area, his father Michael Barr said. 

The incoming University of Delaware freshman has been a member of the Boy Scout Troop 164 since 2004, after spending five years in Cub Scout Pack 164 where his father was his Cubmaster. In Troop 164 his Scoutmasters were his father Michael, Frank Berlanga and Rob Haims. 

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The young man has a long impressive list of accomplishments, including being named Junior Honor Scout for the 2007-08 scout year, and getting elected to the Order of the Arrow (Scouting's "Honor Society") in March 2007. He completed his ordeal in September of that year.

Barr was a member of the Honor Patrol (Lightning) in 2008 and 2009 and participated in two 50-mile canoe treks. He also served as an assistant patrol leader and patrol leader, and was selected as Senior Patrol Leader during the 2009-2010 scouting year. He has mentored many younger scouts over the years, helped run meetings, taught skills, volunteered on service projects (including Soup Kitchens at Jan Peek Shelter and Food Pantries at the ) as well as other community events. In 2006, as a 13-year-old he designed 's Support-a-Walk logo.

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Troop 164 is sponsored by and . In 2011, Troop 164 produced four Eagle scouts -- the highest Eagle scouts by any troop, said councilman Vishnu Patel who attended the ceremnony and presented a proclamation to the Eagles scouts on behalf of the town board.

"This the most active troop in Yorktown," Patel said.

In his Eagle Statement, Jeremy Barr cited his brother Ethan, a Troop 164 Eagle Scout in 2008, as his role model and mentor. 

Others attending the ceremony were current scoutmaster Rob Haims, committee chair Vicky Abbate, treasurer Steve Anderson, advancement chairs Amy Hernandez and Bruce Kelderhouse, assistant scoutmasters John McQuillan and Paul Martin, executive vice president of Strategic Planning for Westchester-Putnam Council Peter Wilcox, and county legislator Mike Kaplowitz.

Pictured with Jeremy Barr are his fellow Eagle Scouts, all members of the class of 2011: Steven Moy, David Kelderhouse and David Stavans.

Editor's Note: The article originally stated Barr is an upcoming senior at Yorktown High School. The article has since been corrected. 


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