Matthew Endrizzi named Eagle Scout of the Year

MONROE — Eagle Scout Matthew J. Endrizzi of Troop 440 from Monroe was named the 2009 New York State American Legion “Eagle Scout of the Year.” Endrizzi was given this honor at the American Legion Department of New York’s 91st annual convention in Buffalo. After being nominated by American Legion Post 488 of Monroe, his troop’s sponsor, Endrizzi needed to complete an extensive application process compiling his scouting career, scholastic information, community involvement and recommendation letters. Based on his application, he was selected as the top Eagle Scout in New York State by a panel of legionnaires who are all still actively involved in scouting. Endrizzi was presented with an award plaque and a scholarship check by Department Commander Edward Betrand during the scouting report to 800 delegates at the convention. His application packet was forwarded to the Indianapolis headquarters of the American Legion where he will compete against Eagle Scouts from all 50 states and U.S. territories for national recognition and additional scholarship awards. Endrizzi joined cub scouting at age six as a tiger scout and became an Eagle Scout at age 15. He is an active member of Troop 440 under the direction of Scoutmaster Mike Phipps. Endrizzi has held numerous leadership positions in which he was voted in by his peers at the troop level, including: assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, senior patrol leader and currently holds the position of den chief with Pack 488 and Pack 440 since 2004 and junior assistant scoutmaster. “I always felt that an Eagle project should be something of great importance,” said Endrizzi. “My project idea came to me during a volunteer clean-up of garbage and leaves at the American Legion. The idea of somehow helping our veterans is what I wanted to do for an eagle project. My initial project that we had agreed upon was to build eight new wheelchair accessible picnic tables and benches and re-paint a 1,574 foot storage building. The American Legion has been nothing but grateful that I chose their veterans to honor them through my Eagle project choice. The combined hours of all workers from planning to completion took 491 hours and a total of donations received was $2,234.33. The values and knowledge I learned from scouting will be a part of my life forever.” Thus far, Endrizzi has earned 52 Merit badges, several religious awards, he is a member of the elite Order of the Arrow, initially of Ordeal in 2006 and went onto Brotherhood in 2008. He has also earned a Bronze and Gold Eagle Palm. Endrizzi is starting his junior year in September at Monroe-Woodbury High School. He is a member of the varsity swim team a member of several afterschool clubs and an honor roll student. He is planning a career in architecture.