One is not simply promoted to the rank of Eagle by virtue of age. It is earned by completing increasingly more difficult requirements in first response, leadership training, ecology and earth science, citizenship and public affairs, and by performing significant community service. Scouting instills self-reliance and self-confidence and fosters a "take charge attitude" that only the experience of leadership can provide.

It's why Michael Bloomberg (himself an Eagle Scout) before assuming the office of Mayor of the City of New York, is said to have personally reviewed employment applications from Eagle Scouts. Having one's resume reviewed by the CEO may not guarantee the position, but it gives a leg-up in a very competitive world. Although every Scout has the opportunity, not all become Eagles. They're an elite group of high achievers. Out of approximately 11,000 Scouts in Nassau County, only about 200 earned the Eagle rank last year.

Troop 267, which serves the Herricks school district, has produced nine

Eagles. Each in his own way has used the skills learned in Scouting to further his exceptional career: They're listed below in order of their achievement of the Eagle Rank.

Joshua Cahn, of Herricks (1999) - Graduated from the dual degree program at Columbia University and the Jewish Theological Seminary; he spent time abroad in Israel studying and becoming fluent in the language. Served as Intern for the Israeli Consulate and AIPAC. Recently began studies in the accelerated JD program at Cardozo Law School, of Yeshiva University.

David Guarrera, of Herricks (2000) - Graduated from the physics

program at Northwestern University on academic scholarship. He has engaged in significant public service and volunteerism working in war-torn Bosnia and the Czech Republic. He's now completing his PhD in Physics at MIT on a fellowship.

Michael Black, of Herricks (2000) - Graduated from Briarcliff College

in Information Technology and Computer Science. He has worked in related jobs since high school to finance his own education, and now - at age 24 - serves as the Senior IT and Network Engineer at an Information Technology consulting firm in New York City.

Josh Kovacs, of Herricks (2001) - Graduated from the Goizueta

Business School of Emory University in Atlanta Georgia, serving as a summer intern in the Marketing and Human Resources Departments at Bloomberg Communications. He now holds a position managing major accounts at a media services company in New York City.

Abhisheck Pardeshi, of Herricks (2001) - Graduated from Rennselaer

Polytechnic Institute last May with a degree in Electrical Engineering and served as a summer intern for IBM while in school. He is now in a graduate program at Columbia University's School of Engineering, and simultaneously holds a position with ITT Avionics in New Jersey, helping to design radar jamming systems for F-16 jet fighters.

Michael Sherman, of Wheatley (2003) - Graduated from Wheatley

High School with honors and was selected by our congressional representatives as a candidate for admission to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. It is reported that nearly 15 percent of his class of cadets are Eagle Scouts. As a Cadet Second Class, Michael is in his third year at the academy, is captain of the debate team, and has started the first Hillel organization in the Academy's history. Michael is majoring in Engineering.

Benjamin Cahn, of Herricks (2003) - Graduated from the Solomon Schechter High School and currently attends Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. He is a summer intern on Wall Street and will be studying business abroad in his junior year. He has continued his community service while at college by serving as an EMT - first responder, and currently serves on the Board of the Muhlenberg College Hillel organization.

Andrew Kovacs, of Herricks (2004) - Graduated from high school with honors and now attends George Washington University in Washington, D.C. Andrew is a business major at GW, has taken a leadership role in student organizations on campus, expects to study abroad in Australia as a junior, and serves as a summer intern for an investment firm in the Financial District.

Sean Kotkin, of Herricks (2005) - Graduated from high school with honors, serving as a research intern at North Shore University Hospital and participating in the DNA research program at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories. He is currently completing his freshman year at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island where he is in the pre-med program.

Scouting is open to all boys, ages 11 - 18 and features an aggressive leadership training initiative, outdoor environmental and camping program, and advanced first aid instruction. To receive information about having your son or grandson enroll, call 621-3890.