On Saturday, Jan. 6, Rye’s Scout Troop 2 held an Eagle Court of Honor at Christ’s Church to celebrate the elevation of two of its scouts to the highest rank of Eagle – Matthew Pellegrini and Ferdinand Coughlin. In addition to Mayor Cohn, also in attendance were County Executive George Latimer, County Legislator Catherine Parker, and several other local and scouting dignitaries. 

Pellegrini, a senior at Rye High School, began his scouting career as a Cub Scout in first grade. A highly accomplished and dedicated scout, he rose steadily through the ranks, accumulating service hours, leadership positions, camping nights, hiking miles, and merit badges along the way. For his Eagle Scout project, he constructed a much-needed toddler playground at the Rye YMCA, to replace one lost to flooding. He served as the troop’s Senior Patrol Leader and is now serving as a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. Also an inaugural member and President of Explorer Post 077 Port Chester, Rye, Rye Brook EMS Ambulance, he has been accepted by several colleges and plans to study medicine. 

Coughlin, a graduate of Rye High School, began his scouting career in the Cub Scouts in 2014. Through scouting, he discovered a love of travel, hiking, and camping. He joined trips to Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, Scouts Sea Base in the Florida Keys, and the World Jamboree in South Korea. For his Eagle Scout project, he cleared and rehabilitated the Wainwright House’s Seven Generations sculpture, saving it from deterioration and making it an artistic and educational destination on the grounds of the house. He is currently attending University College in Dublin, Ireland.

Only about 5 percent of scouts ever reach Eagle rank, which requires years of dedication as the scout accumulates skills, camping nights, hiking miles, service hours, merit badges, and leadership positions, ultimately completing a significant service project to benefit the community. Rye Troop 2, founded in 1916, meets on Wednesday nights at Christ’s Church in Rye. For more information on scouting and Rye Troop 2, visit ryetroop2.org.