By Julie Carasone
Samuel Zerillo, of LeRoy, a graduate of Notre Dame High School, and member of LeRoy Boy Scout Troop 6021, achieved the Boy Scouts highest rank, Eagle Scout, after completing his Eagle Scout Project honoring his grandparents.
Zerillo built planter boxes for the residents at LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home.
On Saturday, at Our Lady of Mercy Parish Hall in LeRoy, Zerillo was presented with his Eagle Scout patch and pin. Less than 8% of Boy Scouts go on to earn this award.
“At first I didn’t think I belonged because all the boys were way older than me,” says Zerillo.
The planter boxes are wheelchair accessible and easier for those to use at the LeRoy Village Green Nursing Home
“My grandmother Judith Brown would often talk about how much she missed gardening, so I did it in her honor and for my grandfather, William M. Brown, a veteran of the Korean War.”
Both grandparents were residents at the nursing home.
The Boy Scouts will help with the planting and the LeRoy Garden Club will assist with recommending plants to buy each season. The project is a Troop 6021 Service Project.
Zerillo was also honored with accommodations from Congressman Chris Jacobs, State Senator Ed Rath, Legislator Rochelle Stein, and Assemblyman Steve Hawley. Dave Rumsey of the American Legion Post 576, LeRoy also presented Zerillo with a Good Citizenship Citation.
Zerillo will continue his education at John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio. He will also work as an Intern for Congressman Chris Jacobs this the summer.
“I say to all the Boy Scouts who are in right now, stick it out, don’t worry about what others say because you will learn so much valuable information,” says Zerillo.
