Greetings from Rye Neck

By Janice Llanes Fabry

Lucas Pasquina, a Rye Neck High School junior, has his hands full this year with college visits, AP courses in Biology, Literature, U.S. History, and Studio Art, as well as track and mock trial teams. He is also an assistant senior patrol Boy Scout leader for Troop 2 in Mamaroneck — which just celebrated its 100^th anniversary — and is on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout. His required service project has transformed Rye Neck High’s highly trafficked entrance with the installation of a colorful, meaningful mural.

“I combined my love of art and the scouts when choosing a project that would represent who I am,” he explained. “I wanted to model a mural after those ‘Greetings From’ postcards and I wanted to capture the different elements of Rye Neck culture.”

Having earned 21 merit badges, Pasquina was ready to take his commitment down the home stretch. In order to achieve the Eagle Scout rank, he is required to plan and develop a project that would benefit an organization and exemplify his leadership skills, which he has been honing since he was a cub scout at age 6.

First, the junior convinced the Scout approval committee that a mural strategically placed between the school library media center and the performing arts center would create a much more welcoming environment for students, faculty, and guests alike. Subsequently, he collaborated with his art teacher Jennifer Dallow and talked logistics with Principal Tina Wilson.

He also acquired feedback from his peers by distributing a survey last June to determine which aspects of the Rye Neck community should be highlighted. After raising funds for paints and canvas by setting up a GoFundMe page, he assembled student artists from the middle and high schools to implement his vision.

“I wanted to include a wide range of artists with varying experience. I created a paint-by-numbers system and color swatches, so that we were all on the same page,” he said.

 

Lucas Pasquina and his Eagle Scout project