HANOVER — In a proud moment for Parsippany’s Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 173, Nicholas “Nick” Shatynski was honored with the illustrious rank of Eagle Scout on Sunday, August 20. This memorable ceremony, which took place at Hanover Community Center, also celebrated the achievements of Ethan Adam and Andrei Filipescu.
The Eagle Scout rank is indeed a prestigious achievement within the Scouting movement. It represents the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) program and carries significant honor and responsibility.
Only 5% of Scouts earn the Eagle rank demonstrating the rigorous requirements needed to achieve this distinction. To become an Eagle Scout, a Scout must demonstrate leadership skills, earn a specified number of merit badges across various areas of interest, complete a significant service project benefiting the community, and embody the principles and values of Scouting.
Once a Scout attains the rank of Eagle, they hold this title for life, regardless of their age or continued involvement in Scouting. This lifelong designation is a testament to the character, dedication, and leadership qualities exhibited by Eagle Scouts.
Eagle Scouts are encouraged to serve as role models and leaders within Scouting and their communities. Many Eagle Scouts go on to excel in various fields and industries, as you mentioned, including the military, higher education, academia, professions, clergy, business, and politics. The values and skills instilled through the Scouting program often contribute to their success in these endeavors.
It’s worth noting that while Eagle Scouts have achieved great accomplishments, not all of them pursue these specific paths. Some may find success and leadership in other areas or industries, but the principles and values they learn as Eagle Scouts continue to influence their lives positively.
Nick began his Scout career in the first grade. He joined Hanover’s Pack 40 and became hooked on Scouting thanks to Cubmaster Ventura.
With a significant family history in Scouting, Nick intended to become the 8th Shatynski Eagle Scout in two generations.
In 2019, Nick earned Arrow of Light and joined Troop 155 in Hanover Township with Mr. Mihalko as Scoutmaster. Nick earned his first rank in just a few short months and was elected Patrol Leader twice. He attended summer camp that year at Camp Winnebago and had the time of his life. He had found his home away from home.
In February of 2021, Nick joined Troop 173 in Parsippany. He was quickly and warmly welcomed by the Senior Patrol Leaders of that year and his Scoutmasters, Mr. Catapano, and Mr. Franz. He was assigned the position of Instructor and was sent to National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT) that summer where his love for Scouting continued. He made many new friends and brought many new ideas to the troop as he served as the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader (ASPL) and Senior Patrol Leader (SPL) for the 2021-2022 Scout year.
Nick became the youngest Senior Patrol Leader in the troop’s history at 13 years old.
In 2022, Nick served as Klondike Sled Captain and led his Junior sled team to 1st place out of 16 competing teams at the Fishawack Klondike. In 2023, Nick served as Klondike Sled Co-Captain for his Senior team reaching 3rd place out of 27 competing teams.
Outside of Troop 173, Nick is involved with other Scouting activities including NYLT Staff and the Order of the Arrow. Nick also earned the Light is Life religious emblem for Eastern Catholic Scouts and was honored to serve as Lector during the Scout Recognition Service in June 2022. In these programs, Nick was able to meet lifetime friends, learn and teach skills, deepen his faith, and give back to Scouting. He found it to be a way to do his duty to others.
During the summer of 2023, Nick attended Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico where he was the Chaplain Aide for his Crew. He also attended the National Jamboree in West Virginia. He will always remember and cherish these experiences.
For Nick’s Eagle Project, he chose to work with Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover, where he optimized the design of, constructed, stained, and insulated four feral cat houses – all beginning with four simple 8′ x 8′ sheets of plywood. They replaced the old and run-down houses and gave the feral cats a dry and warm place to spend nights. Nick and his helpers completed over 100 hours of service to complete his project. He is very proud of his accomplishment and thanks all who helped him along the way.
An active camper, Nick received the National Outdoor Award for camping completing 103 tent nights. His trek at Philmont allowed him to earn the 50 Miler award. In addition, Nick has completed 202 service hours. He continues to camp with his Troop and give back to his community.
Nick is the 99th Eagle Scout from Troop 173 and has fulfilled his goal of becoming the 8th Shatynski Eagle Scout in two generations! Nick will be a sophomore at Whippany Park High School this fall. He is involved in sports teams (soccer and track) and various clubs. He served as President of his Freshman Class and has recently been elected as President of his Sophomore Class. Nick and his fellow Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) members placed in the Top 10 in New Jersey at the April 2023 State Leadership Conference competition based on their Social Media Strategy pitch. Nick also enjoys serving as a referee for the Hanover Township Soccer Club. It is safe to say that he gets involved in almost any opportunity that interests him.
Looking ahead, Nick contemplates attending West Point, venturing into business, or pursuing a career as a history teacher. Regardless of the path he chooses, his Scouting experiences and values will undoubtedly guide him.
Nick earned 41 merit badges including American Business, Art, Aviation, Camping*, Canoeing, Citizenship In Community*, Citizenship In Nation*, Citizenship in Society*, Citizenship In World*, Communication*, Cooking*, Crime Prevention, Emergency Preparedness*, Environmental Science*, Family Life*, Fingerprinting, Fire Safety, First Aid*, Geocaching, Indian Lore, Kayaking, Leatherwork, Music, Nature, Personal Fitness*, Personal Management*, Pets, Pioneering, Railroading, Rifle Shooting, Robotics, Rowing, Scholarship, Small Boat Sailing, Soil and Water Conservation, Space Exploration, Sports, Swimming*, Welding, Wilderness Survival and Wood Carving.
Click here to read a related story about Nick.
BSA Eagle Hall of Fame: 1957 to 2023: James Searing, Geoffrey Brown, John Chervenak, Guy Corbett, Tim Corbett, Robert Burney, Juan Correa, Richard Lauber, Tim Roche, Christopher Callahan, Thomas Cook, Stephan Pirylis, Brian Stewart, Patrick Roche, Edward Chiorazzi, Brian Pomarlen, Simon Healey, Keith Henderlong, David Chezem, Alex Lin, Robert Strechay, Jr., John Oleske, Daniel Strechay, Joseph Strechay, Kevin Smithers, Joseph Stevens, James Ward, Jason Viglione, Michael DeGuarde, Michael Smith, Tim Foster, Christopher Malcolm, Mark Viglione, Gary Hwang, William Barcliffe IV, Jonathan Cook, Daniel Aguanno, Anthony Valvano, Eric Kratz, David Kratz, Thomas Corigliano, David Kinskey-Lebeda, Ryan Diggle, Mike Fulton, Dan Fulton, Brian Galley, Shane Moravsik, Paul Rossnagel, Jesse Garbarino, Shay Grabinsky, Sean Galley, Matthew Breeman, Ryan Barwick, Dylan Grabinsky, John Stretavski, Brendan Barwick, Eric Galley, Bobby Ebel, Sean Michie, Michael Ludwig, Matthew Luther, Chris Gardner, Chris Worthington, Cameron Boone, Daniel Metcalf, Rishi Konkesa, Noah Munn, Erik Darling, Thomas Catapano, Daniel Corcoran, Colin Aguesseau, David Dodd III, Michael Gaudio, Galen Wu, Timothy Metcalf, David Albin, Ryan Porcelli, Jack Summa, Anthony Paterno, Chris Meumann, Alex Geddes, David Sinchi, Kyle Cipkins, Anli Liu, Joseph Messana, Evan Vojta, Matthew Sinchi, Sreemanth Meka, Dylan Franz, Jacob Kaplan, Tyler Catapano, Ethan Geddes, Andrew Modin, Matthew Rankel, Christopher Stearns, Nicholas Shatynski, Jonah Lance, Ethan Adams, and Andrei Filipescu.
Troop 173 was chartered by the Sedgefield Civic Association in 1957. Yet, Troop 173 has included boys from over Morris County in its programs. While most of our members come from Parsippany, from Lake Parsippany to Powder Mill and across the Township, they have had members as far away as Succasunna and Randolph.
For several years the Troop met in an old mansion on the former Ballantine estate where the Mack-Cali Business campus now stands. Upon completing the gymnasium at Littleton School in the early sixties, its weekly Friday night meetings moved there. In 2009, the troop’s home base for meetings moved to Mt. Tabor School off Park Road.
During its 60-year history, eighteen Scoutmasters have led Troop 173, assisted by many trained Assistant Scoutmasters and an active Troop Committee. They have assisted in overseeing Troop 173’s active outdoor program for well over 1200 boys, of which 73 have become Eagle Scouts, or approximately twice the national average. Among our Eagle Scouts is a partner in an accounting firm, an attorney, a physician, a radio programming director, and an Air Force officer. Undoubtedly the leadership skills learned as Scouts have helped them with their achievements.
Many youth leaders have had the opportunity to share the fellowship of Scouting across the United States by participating in National Jamborees on both the East and West coasts and in leadership training locally and at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
Community service has always been an important part of Troop 173’s program. Eagle Scout projects have included work at public recreation spaces in Sedgefield, Glacier Hills, Lake Parsippany, and Knoll Park. Other service projects have been wide-reaching – they have benefited the Parsippany Public Library, The Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad, Parsippany Little League, and we have helped victims of hurricanes and flooding by collecting supplies and money to be distributed by local disaster relief. In 2017, the Fishwick District (eastern Morris County area) recognized the Scout Troop with the most community service hours in the year.
Troop 173 has participated annually in the “Scouting for Food” national “Good Turn”; over 30,000 items have been donated to a Parsippany food bank. Troop 173 has been at the forefront of the recycling movement. One of our early fundraisers was a deposit bottle collection. They collected scrap newspapers and magazines for over fifteen years until Parsippany began mandatory recycling. Along with collections in the other sections of town, our newspaper collection allowed Parsippany to earn a grant from the State of New Jersey to expand the reach and scope of its recycling program.
