Troop Awards
John R. Barnett Award
For many years John Barnett was an active leader of Troop 54 serving in various positions including that of Scoutmaster. His enthusiasm and curiosity provided an example for all Scouts to follow. He was always willing to try something new. If he found that it was fun he would do all he could to encourage Scouts to try too.
But there was another side to John Barnett, and it is best summarized in the principals of Scouting. He knew the importance of developing responsible citizens and recognized the role of Scouting in achieving that goal.
Because of these outstanding characteristics, this award has been established in his memory. It honors Scouts in Troop 54 who have made significant contribution to the development of the Troop and their fellow Scouts.
1979 - William Schumacher
1979 - David Swenson
1981 - Bruce Egner
1986 - Harold Hayward
1988 - Edmund Hayward
2001 - Matthew Birchby
2001 - Ian Duffy
2001 - James Nylund
2005 - Richard Saunders
2007 - Brian Barone
2013 - Kevin Rickenberg
2013 - Ryan DeMarco
2015 - Devon DeMarco
2015 - Luke Edwards
2017 - Colin Arscott
2017 - Parker Griep
2018 - Jack Culleton
2020 - Ethan Menzel
2022 - Jack McWilliams
2022 - Bryn Laidler
2022 - Tim Conlon
2022 - Ryan Christensen
2023 - Nicolas Galgano
Williams Award
The Williams Award; Helping to Create a Civil Society.
The Williams family, Gus, Margaret, Chris and Diane, played a formative role in the history of Troop 54 for many years. Gus, as Scoutmaster, devoted himself to making Troop 54 the model for Scouting in the 50's and 60's; and Chris, his son, continued the tradition in the 70's. Their wives, Margaret and Diane, provided support, both spiritually and practically that made the Troop work.
We are all part of the Scouting program for the same reason the Williams were: We recognize the important role Scouting plays in creating a civil society by building a sense of citizenship, self confidence, character and leadership in young men. The great contribution of the Williams is symbolic of our hopes for our community through the successful development of our Scouts and the part Scouting plays in that development.
It is in this spirit and for those reasons that we honor an exemplary model of immeasurable giving to Troop 54 and to our community, and we gratefully acknowledge our debts to the recipients of The Williams Award.
1978 - Margaret, Diane, & Chris Williams
1981 - Edgar Saul
1983 - Mary & Charles Swenson
1991 - David Stuhr
1993 - Sue & Leo Winiarski
1995 - Richard Saul
2000 - Steve Newton
2008 - Rusty Thompson
2013 - Robert Barone
2021 - Peter Mastandrea
2022 - Nancy Rickenberg
W. Stuart Thompson Community Service Award
The Stuart Thompson Community Service Award was established by the troop committee in 1989 in memory of Stuart who was active for thirty years in Troop 54. He served as Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, and Explorer Adviser. He was present at the weekly and monthly meetings, went on campouts, high adventures, and to Philmont.
In addition to his scout involvement, Stuart was active in several community endeavors including the Recreation Commission, the YAC, the Blood Donor's Association, and an Elder in The Community Church. He had a career of fifteen years in Ho-Ho-Kus municipal government serving on the Town Council and as Town Mayor for eight years.
It is because of these facts that the Troop Committee determined that The Stuart Thompson Award must have two qualifying components. To receive it, one must have been active and contributing to Troop 54 and active and contributing to the Ho-Ho-Kus Community at large.
The word community has various meanings, such as, a community of fellowship or a society of people having common interests or common character, a similarity, such as a community of spirit.
This award is to honor those individuals who do just that; the recipients who have given of their time and talents to the boys in Troop 54 and to the well being of the community. This award is not an annual one but, rather, it is given only when it is determined that it is appropriate.
1990 - Stephen Newton
1991 - Toby Winiarki
1991 - Hal Hayward
1992 - Charles Swenson
1993 - Mel Van Hattem
1994 - David Stuhr
1995 - Richard Sayers
1996 - Steve White
1997 - Ken Kievit Sr.
1999 - John Mongelli
2001 - Rusty Thompson
2005 - Kevin Duffy
Hazel B. Flavelle - Rusty Thompson Campership Award
It was about 1991 that Troop 54 received information that we were benefactors in the will of Hazel B. Flavelle. At this time the troop is still benefiting from the generosity of this lady. The Troop Leadership Committee wanted to bring recognition to her, as it is through her kindness that each Scout of Troop 54, and the Scouts who will follow, are and will benefit from a comprehensive, well rounded program. In tribute to her, the Troop Leadership Committee has established The Hazel B. Flavelle Campership Award, which is a week at summer camp for two Scouts; one younger Scout at Camp Turell, or NoBeBoSco, and one older Scout at Floodwood Mountain Reservation paid for from the Flavelle Fund.
Hazel B. Flavelle.....Who is She?
This information has been obtained by Rusty Thompson, by searching out past neighbors and friends, many have died, some were still in town, and some have moved.
Hazel Flavelle was a long time resident in Ho-Ho-Kus. She and her husband, Tom, first lived on Sherwood Road, dating back to before 1962. When Tom, who was a chemical engineer, died Mrs. Flavelle sold her home and moved to Hollywood Place. She was described as a gracious lady, a good neighbor, one interested in flowers and in gardens. She was a member of the Ho-Ho-Kus Garden Club. She was affiliated with The Community Church. Perhaps her greatest interest was in American History and she was extremely active in and a member of the Saddle River Branch of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Hazel B. Flavelle was a generous person, she was proud to live in Ho-Ho-Kus, and we are still grateful to her today for her most generous gift to Troop 54.
Upon the passing of Mayor Rusty Thompson, Troop 54's Adult Committee felt it was only appropriate to include her name with this award. Mayor Rusty Thompson was a strong and enthusiastic supporter of Scouting, and the Scouting program, for over 30 years, especially the summer camp program and how it affects a young boys life; starting with the traditional merit badge camp for younger scouts and then onto a more high adventure camp, like Floodwood Mountain Reservation for older scouts. Mayor Thompson always enjoyed presenting this award every year, so now also in her memory we award Scouts; The Hazel B. Flavelle/Rusty Thompson Campership Award.
1993 - Richard Carnes 1993 - Keith Moritz
1994 - Maurice Cheng 1994 - Stephen Mongelli
1995 - Drew Curtis 1995 - Ted Knuetter
1996 - Ian Duffy 1996 - Mark Rosassa
1997 - Paul DiBetta 1997 - Chris LaForgia
1998 - James Greenspan 1998 - Jason Ludwig
1999 - Rob Holuba 1999 - James Nylund
1999 - Richard Saunders 2000 - Kevin Brightly
2000 - Tom Brown 2000 - Cameron Duffy
2001 - Chris Albes 2001 - Cole Magrath
2002 - Brian Barone 2002 - Matt Butler
2003 - John Charles Lamb 2003 - Dylan Lee
2004 - Connor Brightly 2004 - Chris Hewitt
2005 - Clifford Bone 2005 - Jeremy Yeaton
2006 - Scott Halpern 2006 - Jerry Sullivan
2007 - Woody Hayward 2007 - Colin Verhoff
2008 - Grant Loew 2008 - Michael Menakis
2009 - Kevin Rickenberg 2009 - Theodore Kluge
2010 - Ryan DeMarco 2010 - Devon DeMarco
2010 - Brian O'Connor
2011 - Matthew Tittensor 2011 -Connor Reynolds
2012 - Jack Culleton 2012 - Teddy O'Brien
2013 - David Menzel 2013 - Michael Pabian
2014 - Jonathan Sumner 2014 - Adam Frank
2015 - Trevor Hintz 2015 - Conor Courtney
2016 - Ethan Menzel 2016 - Cole Walker
2016 - Thomas Finan
2017 - Noah Langevin 2017 - Bryn Laidler
2018 - Jack McWilliams 2018 - Liam Morley
2018 - Ryan Christensen
2019 - Niko Ferrales 2019 - Tim Conlon
2021 - Austin Hintz 2021 - Christian Hobbis
2022 - Jack Mastandrea 2022 - Andres Sheehy
2023 - Ethan Brodsky 2023 Logan Lokshin
2023 - Thomas Tynan
Explorer Post 54 Scholarship
The Trustees of the Explorer Post 54, BSA, Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey Memorial Fund established an annual scholarship in the amount of five hundred dollars, to be awarded starting 1989.
According to its 1963 Trust Agreement, the Funds was constituted "for the purpose of establishing and maintaining scholarships for the college level study of young men who then are or were formerly, members of any organization of the Boy Scouts of America in Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ."
Eligibility for the Post 54 Scholarship will not be restricted to entering freshman; upperclassmen may apply as well. Qualifications will include tests of character and community involvement as well as academic and leadership achievements.. The Trustees reserve the right to consider financial need if the circumstances so warrant.
Application for the Scholarship may be obtained/requested from Post54fund @aol.com.
Named for the several men who in the 1940s, '50s, and 60s served in the capacity of Post Advisor, The Post Advisors' Memorial Scholarship was established to assist Ho-Ho-Kus youth with Scouting experience to complete their formal education. The scholarship fund was instituted in 1963 as an adjunct to Explorer Post 54, an extension of the Scouting program for boys between fourteen and eighteen years of age. A Scouting Scholarship was the concept of The Post's Adult Committee to further help young men of Ho-Ho-Kus achieve adulthood in the spirit of and through Scouting. Initial funding was generated by the Adult Committee and private donations. Interest compounded over the years, now yields sufficient income for an annual one thousand dollar scholarship.
1989 - Benny Lewis Mulvaney
1990 - David M. Reel
1991 - Charles Lane
1992 - Marc Chalfoun
1993 - Christopher Dolan
1994 - Christopher Dolan
1995 - Todd Saul
1996 - Todd Saul
1997 - Keith Moritz
2003 - James Nyland
2004 - Jason Ludwig
2005 - Richard Saunders 2005 - Thomas Brown
2006 - Cole Magrath 2006 - Christopher Mulvey
2007 - Brian Barone
2008 - Brian Barone 2008 - John Charles Lamb
2009 - John Charles Lamb
2009 - Dylan Lee 2009 - Taylor Magrath
2010 - Richard Saunders
2011 - Richard Saunders
2014 - Ryan DeMarco 2014 - Kevin Rickenberg
2015 - Devon DeMarco
2016 - Gabriel Bierwas 2016 - Cole Walker
2017 - Ethan Sumner
2018 - Ethan Sumner
2019 - Connor Courtney 2019 - Trevor Hintz
2020 - Ethan Menzel
2021 - Thomas Finan 2021 - Noah Langevin
2021- Nicholas Mastandrea 2021 - Ethan Menzel
2022 - Tim Conlon 2022 - Jack McWilliams
2023 - Ryan Christensen 2023 - Nicolas Galgano
Scoutmasters of Troop 54
NOV. 1927 - Thomas J. MacGowan, Jr.
NOV. 1929 - O. H. Richards
OCT. 1937 - E. Y. Pendell
OCT. 1939 - Adrian V. Banks
DEC. 1946 - Manown Kisor
DEC. 1947 - Alan H. Brown
MAY 1949 - Stanley Gaines
AUG. 1950 - Willian Sinn
APR. 1951 - Alan W. "Skip" Fingado
NOV. 1952 - Melvin Ott
NOV. 1954 - Stuart Thompson
NOV. 1956 - Andrew Everson
MAR. 1960 - Gus Williams
NOV. 1968 - Richard M. Sayers
NOV. 1969 - Bob Elliott
NOV. 1970 - Tom Jordan
NOV. 1971 - John Barnett
MAY 1973 - Present - Dave Stuhr ASM/Varsity Team Coach
NOV. 1973 - Chris Williams
FEB. 1979 - Toby Winiarski
SEPT. 1980 - Fred Hauser
SEPT. 1989 - Rick Saul
JUNE 2004 - Robert Barone