Ian McAlister Becomes 111th Eagle Scout For Troop 343

Ian McAlister becomes Troop 343 (Hauppauge)’s 111^th Eagle Scout

“The Eagle Scout Badge is a symbol of what a boy has done today, but more important…. it represents what a man will do tomorrow.”

An Eagle Scout Court of Honor hosted by Boy Scout Troop 343 (Hauppauge) was held on Sunday, March 1, 2020 St. Thomas More  RC Church for Ian Ryley McAlister as he became the troop’s 111^th Eagle Scout in the 51 year history of the scout troop. 

Scout McAlister’s Eagle Scout community service project was to fundraise, lead and build a Hay Barn for Hoyt Farm.  This allows the animals to stay at the park.  With the help of Project Coach Assistant Scoutmaster Scott Vasile and leading 13 scouts and 3 adults in the construction, Eagle Scout McAlister measured, cut and nailed a Hay Barn for the community to enjoy.  Many local children and schools come to the park to see the animals.  The front porch can be used for photo opportunities. From inception to design, paperwork, purchasing of the materials, and completion of the building, the project took more than 200 hours of manpower  under his leadership skills.

In addition to earning 61 Merit Badge (far more than the required 22 for the highest rank in Boy Scouts) – ranging from First Aid, Fire Safety, Robotics, American Culture, American Heritage, Scholarship, and Home Repairs, to Signs, Signals and Codes, Small Boat Sailing, Fly Fishing and Nuclear Science – he has served as the Troop 343 Chaplains Aide, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and the Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.  His scouting achievements include the Cub Scout Arrow of Light Award (the highest rank in Cub Scouts), earning the Catholic Boy Scout Religious Emblems ( Ad Altare Dei and Pope Pius XII Medals), the  Crime Prevention Award, Leave No Trace Award, World Conservation Award, Physical Fitness Award, and Historic Trails Award. He is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow (the national Boy Scout Honor Camping Society).  He was member of the waterfront staff at Minsi Scout Reservation for the summer camp season for 2018 and 2019. A  member of the Hauppauge High School’s track team and Swim Team, he is a Red Cross Lifeguard  and a member of the National Honor Society. 

Giving the Eagle Scout Charge was Troop 343 Eagle Scout Dennis Collins, who also led the other Eagle Scouts in attendance in the reaffirmation and the Eagle Oath. Eagle Scout McAlister was presented with certificates of recognition and letters of congratulations from the Hauppauge Public Schools, John Deere Corporation, President Trump, President Bush, state Senator John Flanagan, Congressman Lee Zeldin among other dignitaries and organizations.

A senior at Hauppauge High School, Eagle Scout Ian McAlister is the son of Rosemarie and Eric McAlister, and brother to Robert, Ryan, and Kevin. He will be pursuing a degree in Agriculture Mechanization at Clemson University in South Carolina.

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(Photo of Eagle Scout Ian McAlister of Troop 343 is attached)