Yorktown Teen Honored For Eagle Scout Status

YORKTOWN, N.Y. -- Yorktown resident Erik Santini recently received a New York State Proclamation from Sen. Greg Ball (R,C,I-Patterson) for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.

Yorktown resident Erik Santini, center, recently received a New York State Proclimation from Sen. Greg Ball for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy Sen. Ball's Office*

by Nathan Bruttell

11/12/2013 4:00 a.m.

Eagle Scout is the highest possible rank in the Boy Scouts of America, according to a press release from Ball's office. The Eagle Scout is an honor that is held for life and it is said “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle,” according to the release. Santini is scheduled to host the Eagle Scout Court of Honor at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15 at the Elks Lodge in Yorktown Heights.

“It was a pleasure to meet Erik and hear about his Eagle Scout project. I was very impressed to hear that he spent over 150 hours working on the podiums he built for the Elks Lodge,” said Ball in the release. “Achieving this rank is no small feat and Yorktown can expect big things from Erik in the future. I wish him much luck as he begins his college application process.”

Santini's Eagle Scout project consisted of "leading and building of four podiums for the Elks Lodge of Yorktown," according to the release. With "no prior knowledge of wood working, Erik’s project required a lot of research, input and from industry experts," according to the release.

Santini said he chose the project because the Elks Lodge had been looking for help on the project for more than a year, according to the release.

“I wanted to give back to an organization that has done so much for not only our troops, but also our town and beyond. It was a pleasure to be able build these podiums for the Elks. Without a doubt, I not only learned about wood working, but I learned about the benefits of leadership and communication skills needed to implement this project successfully,” said Santini. “Additionally, it was wonderful to be a fine example of what Boy Scouting means to many of the younger boys in our troop.”

In addition to his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, Santini is a Science Research Student in his third year of the program at Yorktown High School, according to the release. Erik is in the process of applying to college where he would like to study mechanical engineering, according to the release.

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