Recently the Plattekill Cub Scout Troop 95 held their annual Pinewood Derby competition at the Memorial United Methodist Church in Modena. First Place went to Cody Zavodsky; Second Place to Gavin Rivera Third Place to Jackson Wager and Best In Show was awarded to Liam Lynch.

In December the scouts began making small wooden race cars that they entered in the Derby competition.

William Farrell is the Scouts Charter member, is the liaison between the Pack and the Church and also helps in selecting scout leaders.

“They have been here a long time and the scouts do a lot of projects for the church and it’s been a real good relationship,” he said.

Farrell said there is always a good turnout for the Derby.

“The kids have to design and build these cars and they come under certain specifications. When these kids race it’s a big deal; they really get into it,” he said. “It’s a real good community thing and we support that.”

At the Derby event four scouts received the prestigious Webelos Charles Townes Supernova Award. Lynn Carollo is the Webelos Den Leader for Pack 95 and Mentor for the Award program. She guided these scouts in their year long work, with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

“They had to do lots of different things like engineering, experimenting and learning about circuitry. They had to participate in their school’s Science Fair, research different scientists and had to go to a geological site and learn about gems and minerals,” she said. “It took them over a year to earn [award] and they just got it today.”

Scouts Logan D’Anci, George Delgado, Elliott Cunningham and Cody Zavodsky (who was unable to attend) designed a board game and made a movie. Each scout also submitted their own project at the Science Fair at school.

Plattekill Supervisor Joe Croce often attends the annual Derby competition.

“I’ve been to these before and this one is a little special obviously because my grandson is here,” he said. “He enjoys the Cub Scouts and hopefully he stays with it. I’ve always been impressed with the Eagle Scout program, so maybe he’ll reach that someday.” He said projects built by the Eagle Scouts have been beneficial to Scouting and the Town.

Louis Yambay, who is the Committee Chairperson for the Pack, said “the buck stops here.” He has been involved with scouting since 1995, the year Pack 95 was created.

Cub Master Lissette Velilla, who has three sons in the pack, said the Derby is, “awesome, I think it’s great. We’re having fun and the kids build their own cars and are having a great time.” There are 6 Dens in the Pack that meet on a weekly basis, with the entire Pack of 20 kids meeting monthly. They recently welcomed their first girl into the Pack.

Velilla said having a girl in the pack is working out just fine.

“It’s really good, she loves it and they all play together, just like one of the of the boys,” she said.

Yambay said Cub Scouts, who are 5 to 10 years old, start out as Lions and progress through Tigers, Wolf, Bears, Webelos and finally Arrow Light.

“Each has all kinds of requirements and they get harder as they move up,” he said. “Our Arrow Light group has far surpassed anybody in the Pack before.”

Yambay said all kids are welcome to join and a parent can bring them on the 3rd Friday of the month from 6:30 to 8pm at the Plattekill Elementary School, except in January and February.
“Everyone is welcome,” Velilla said.