Justin John Lombardo of Troop 146 in Hewitt earned his Eagle Scout Award on Nov. 22, 2013.  Justin began his scouting career as a Cub Scout in the first grade and has advanced to Eagle Scout as a senior at West Milford High School.

Lombardo’s Eagle Scout Project was the demolition of the unsafe utility shed located at West Milford High School’s McCormick Field.  Since Lombardo has been on the track team since freshman year, he felt that the shed would be a great improvement for the team.  After a meeting with the head coach, Mr. Art Joecks, and the school Athletic Director, Mr. Tim Gillen, he got the necessary approval for the project.  The project started with the removal of old materials, clearing away overgrown bushes, weeds and shrubbery, and leveling the area.  Lombardo then spread a layer of gravel over the area and framed the platform for the concrete pouring.  A new, 14×20 foot Texture-111 shed was constructed that would hold the high school boy’s and girl’s track teams’ pole vaulting mats.  The entire project took over 400 hundred man hours and over $2,000 to complete.  But with the help of many generous donations of materials, time, supplies, and man power, it was accomplished.  The new shed is a true example of an Eagle Scout Project that gives back to the community.  Lombardo also purchased a plaque dedicated to those who made major donations of money, time, and materials towards his project.  The plaque is located on the shed at McCormick Field.

In order to acquire the rank of Eagle Scout, a Boy Scout must fulfill 21 of the 150 merit badges.  Some of Lombardo’s badges include First Aid, Swimming, Citizenship to the World, Personal Fitness, Family Life, and Personal Management, each playing a role in the preparation of a person for survival in the real world.  Lombardo’s most memorable badge was earning Dog Care.  After recently adopting a dog, Lombardo earned his badge through the caring, feeding, washing, and training of certain commands of his dog, Toby.  He admits that while it was a lot of fun, it was a lot of work, and money, especially for all the dog treats!

Justin Lombardo is the son of Tony and Jane Lombardo of Hewitt, who take great pride in their son’s accomplishment.  They believe that all of their son’s achievements are possible because of the skills, lessons, and morals he has learned from Scouting and his family.

Lombardo’s future plans in Boy Scouting include becoming an Assistant Scoutmaster and supporting the weekly meetings, while taking on the position of Trail to Eagle Guide which helps scouts in his troop attain the rank of Eagle.  He has also begun to write a booklet on his experiences throughout his project.  He hopes that it will help future Boy Scouts along the Eagle Trail, and that the failure rates of attempted Eagle Scouts will decline.

Acquiring the Eagle Rank takes a lot of dedication, hard work, and drive as well as a sense of well-roundedness in the classroom, on the field, in the workforce and in the real world, and Lombardo, like many other Eagles before him, has reached the top.  Lombardo thanks all of those who have aided him throughout the process. Congrats and good luck with the rest of your senior year!