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NEW CITY, N.Y. -- New City Boy Scout Frank Sapienza, of Troop 97, recently completed his Eagle Projet in memory of Larisa Karassik who was 13 when she was killed an accident last year in Warren, N.Y.
Larisa was an active member of the Clarkstown Reformed Church and of the student advisory board for Sen. David Carlucci. She was also an athlete, playing softball in the New City Softball League and for Felix Festa Middle School, as well as basketball for St. Francis of Assisi CYO.
When Frank’s Scoutmaster introduced the idea of this project, he thought it would help the community heal during a difficult time, while leaving a legacy in Larisa’s memory.
The plan was to construct a pergola and benches to provide shade and extra seating for spectators at New City Little League’s Strawtown fields.
Pavers were laid and a butterfly garden planted to complete the structure.
The community helped with donations, and the participation of the scouts of Troop 97 New City helped make the project a reality.
"The idea was originally formulated by the little league who informed my scoutmaster Dana Amendola who told me of it," Frank said in a Daily Voice interview.
"My scoutmaster, a Little League representative, and I approached the Karassik family about the project. They were in full support of (it) since day one."
In all, 67 volunteers, 46 youth Boy Scouts, helped to complete the project, which took 400 hours in total, Frank said.
Among challenges were "coordinating deliveries and dealing with shortages on scheduled dates," he continued
The finished project was "very exciting" a result of 400 hours of work.
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