Trio of Troop 2 Scarsdale Scouts Earn Eagle Scout Rank

Photo Credit (L to R): Thomas O’Leary, Ian Rozens and Connor Cassidy Troop 2 Scarsdale celebrated one of Scouting's most cherished milestones on May 30 when Connor Cassidy, Thomas O'Leary, and Ian Rozens were honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony held at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church in Scarsdale.

The Eagle Scout rank is the highest achievement in Scouting America and is earned by fewer than 4 percent of all Scouts. It represents years of dedicated service, rigorous leadership development, and a deep commitment to community.

The ceremony was opened by Troop 2 Senior Patrol Leader Gerard McInnis and included an invocation by Reverend Stephen Ries. Troop 2's Color Guard and Honor Guard presented the colors, and Greater Hudson Valley Council Algonquin District Commissioner Modesto Acevedo led the convocation and presentation of the honorees.

The program featured remarks from an array of distinguished community leaders, including Congressman George Latimer of New York's 16th Congressional District, Westchester County Executive Kenneth Jenkins, Scarsdale Mayor Justin Arest, and Eastchester Town Supervisor Anthony Colavita. Officials presented commendations to the Eagle Scouts. Eastchester Councilwoman Theresa Nicholson offered congratulations, as did Town of Mamaroneck Fire Chief Alex Rapp.

Troop 2 Scoutmaster Brian Bandsma and Assistant Scoutmasters Ray Bradley and Luis Marquez also offered congratulatory remarks to the three Eagle Scouts who they mentored.

Connor Cassidy
Connor recently graduated from Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx. He earned his Bobcat rank in September 2014 through Cub Scout Pack 33 in Larchmont and joined Troop 2 in December 2020. He earned his Eagle rank in February 2026, serving the troop in leadership roles including Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Quartermaster. He earned 23 merit badges, with Rifle Shooting as his favorite.

Connor's Eagle Scout project addressed a critical public safety need for the Town of Mamaroneck community. He led a team of Troop 2 Scouts who fanned out across the town and affixed reflective tape to more than 350 fire hydrants in residential neighborhoods, enabling Town of Mamaroneck Fire Department firefighters to quickly locate hydrants in low-visibility conditions. The improvement is expected to have a direct and lasting effect on fire response times, helping protect both lives and property across the community.

Thomas O'Leary
Thomas is graduating from Eastchester High School in June. Thomas's path to Eagle began in September 2015 as a Bobcat in Cub Scout Pack 353. He joined Troop 2 in March 2022 and earned his Eagle rank in February 2026. Thomas served in a variety of troop leadership roles including Historian, Chaplain Aid, Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He earned 26 merit badges, with Cooking being his favorite.

Thomas's Eagle project benefited the Greenburgh Nature Center, a beloved community institution that connects local residents through conservation efforts and provides sanctuary for rescued wildlife. He designed and constructed a new bulletin board in the playground area, giving the nature center a more effective way to share upcoming events and activities with the thousands of visitors it serves each year. The nature center held personal meaning for Thomas, who made many childhood memories there, making the opportunity to give back especially rewarding.

Ian Rozens
Ian is graduating in June from Scarsdale High School. He began his Scouting journey in September 2014 as a Bobcat in Cub Scout Pack 60, earning his Webelos rank by June 2019 before joining Troop 2. He steadily advanced through the ranks, earning Eagle in August 2025 and subsequently achieved the Gold Eagle Palm in September 2025. Along the way he served in several leadership roles, including Outdoor Ethics Guide, Assistant Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader in 2024 and 2025. He earned 32 merit badges, with Welding as his personal favorite.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Ian managed a team that built and installed a 15-foot-tall trail gateway featuring an antique cross on the grounds of the Graymoor Monastery in Garrison, N.Y. — the headquarters of the Franciscan Brothers and Sisters of the Atonement. The marker holds special significance: Troop 2 has made an annual "Do a Good Turn" service weekend to Graymoor every year since 1938.

More information about Troop 2 Scarsdale and their activities is available at: https://www.troop2scarsdale.org.