Kendall Scout earns his Eagle, Scouting’s highest rank
Jayden Pieniaszek helped build Kendall’s war memorial
Photos by Tom Rivers
KENDALL – Jayden Pieniaszek puts on his Eagle Scout neckerchief with help from Ryan Barrett, left, and John Rath, who are both Eagle Scouts. John Patt is in back.
Pieniaszek, 18, had his Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony on Tuesday in Kendall at the town’s gazebo on Kendall Road.
Pieniaszek is a member of Troop 94. He earned 30 merit badges with the troop.
For his Eagle Scout project, Pieniaszek teamed with three others Scouts to build a war memorial for Kendall. That memorial was dedicated on Sept. 29
Jess Markel, senior district executive for the Iroquois Trail Council, presents a framed certificate to Pieniaszek, congratulating him on earning Scouting’s highest rank.
Jayden, 18, starts a job today as an electrician with Micro Instruments in Rochester. He also will be in the Marine Corps Reserve.
Jayden presents a mentor pin to his father, Todd Pieniaszek, in appreciation for taking him on scouting camps and adventures.
The Orleans Hub named Jayden, the three other scouts and their scoutmaster as “Outstanding Citizens” in 2019 for their efforts in building the war memorial for the community. The Orleans Hub planned an awards celebration on March 18 for all of the Outstanding Citizens. But that program was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Those awards for the Kendall Scouts and their Scoutmaster were presented on Tuesday during Jayden’s Court of Honor.
Pictured from left Ryan Barrett, Brian Shaw, Noah Rath, Jayden Pieniaszek and Scoutmaster Ken Spohr.
Four Scouts took a different phase of the memorial as part of their Eagle Scout service projects.
Ryan Barrett led the first phase, which included putting in the foundation for the wall, a stone memorial and three flag poles. Two of the poles are 30 feet high and one for the American flag is 35 feet.
Jayden Pieniaszek led the second phase which includes construction of the brick wall, which is 39 feet long, 3 ½ feet wide and 4 feet tall.
Noah Rath headed up phase three which includes the medallions for each five branches of military. Rath also had the electricity set up so the memorial and sidewalk can be lighted up at night.
Brian Shaw coordinated phase four which includes final grading and planting of cedar trees behind the memorial, which provides a buffer for the neighbors and also enhances the site. Shaw also led the work for the plaques on the memorial for the different wars where Kendall soldiers served.
Ken Spohr offered guidance to the Scouts, but let them lead each phase. Spohr tracked the donations and expenses for the project. He drove the Scouts to community presentations, as well as one in Albany at the State Capital.
He also has many connections with businesses and organizations, and he was able to point the scouts to people who could handle the masonry, and other work with the memorial.
Spohr announced on Tuesday that 260 memorial bricks have been sold that line the sidewalk to the monument.
