A TRUE SERVANT LEADER

Area scout awarded $2K college scholarship

Owen Compani completed 70 merit badges throughout his Scouting career and he earned Eagle Scout rank at 13. For his Eagle Scout project, Compani created an outdoor Rosary walk at his parish. (Photo provided)

The National Catholic Committee on Scouting (NCCS) has awarded Owen Compani from Amsterdam, N.Y., the $2,000 Bill and Kay Davies Scholarship. 

Compani belongs to St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in the Diocese of Albany and is a member of three Boys Scouts of America units: Scouts BSA Troop 5048, Venturing Crew 2100 and Sea Scout Ship 1415, all in the Twin Rivers Council. This year NCCS awarded 10 service scholarships totaling $27,000 to recognize Scouts nationwide for outstanding service and leadership in four areas: the Catholic Church, their community, school and Scouting.

Compani truly embodies the idea of servant leadership. When asked why he volunteers he responded, “Volunteering is important to me because it allows me to develop relationships with others, share my talents and expand my interests.”

In service to his parish, Compani has been an altar server at the 8 a.m. Sunday morning Mass for the past eight years and a religious education aide. At numerous church events, he has served food and helped with cleanup. He earned two of the Roman Catholic Religious Emblems offered by NCCS.

For his Eagle Scout project, Owen Compani created an outdoor Rosary walk at his parish. (Photo provided)

Community service is Compani’s passion. Some of the community organizations to which he has devoted his time include blood drives at St. Mary’s Healthcare, cleanup for the local Rotary Club, toiletry collection for The Giving Tree NY, the Kitten Angels kitten and cat adoption event and conservation work with the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. He volunteered to assist with annual flag placement to honor deceased veterans at the four cemeteries in his hometown and initiated this program at his parish cemetery. He helped with the Broadalbin-Perth Central School District backpack program, which sends food home to needy families in the district, and the Amazing Math Race at Broadalbin-Perth Elementary School, which prepares elementary students for New York state standardized testing.

At Broadalbin-Perth Jr./Sr. High School, Compani was treasurer of his graduating class, Future Cities team mentor for four years and a member of band and orchestra throughout high school, including band secretary for three years. He was the MasterMinds Varsity Team co-captain for four years and member of the school’s Spanish and fishing clubs. Compani was also the founder of the Broadalbin-Perth Social Studies Honor Society and the STEM/Science Activities Club. He was also treasurer for his school’s drama club, Key Club treasurer and vice president of the school’s audio/visual services club.

In Scouting, Compani completed 70 merit badges throughout his Scouting career and he earned Eagle Scout rank at 13. Compani has held the leadership positions of senior patrol leader, patrol leader and librarian in his troop.

Compani is a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow (OA), BSA’s honor society, and he served as troop representative. He says that his involvement in OA has been incredibly rewarding and fulfilling. He embraced his personal motto, “Membership Kindles Leadership,” by taking on numerous positions within his lodge: OA Chapter Chief, OA Lodge Officer and Lodge Contingent Youth Leader for the National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC). Compani was selected for a leadership role in the Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience (COPE) course, a program for older Scouts and adults. The program focuses on leadership, problem solving, teamwork and self-esteem. His involvement with his Venturing Crew and Sea Scout Ship rounded out his affiliations with the Scout organizations.

For his Eagle Scout project, Compani created an outdoor Rosary walk at his parish. The completed walk includes stepping stones representing the five decades of the Rosary, a handcrafted granite cross, a raised Hail Mary statue and a bench for quiet prayer and reflection.

Compani plans to attend Clarkson University in Potsdam and study civil engineering.

Since 2005, NCCS has awarded $272,000 in scholarships to 118 Scouts nationwide. More details about scholarship eligibility requirements and a listing of this year’s and past award recipients can be found at https://nccs-bsa.org/college-scholarships. NCCS is a church committee of concerned Catholic laity and clergy, which serves as an advisory committee to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and is related to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) through its Episcopal Liaison. NCCS-sponsored Catho­lic Scouting is the only Scouting program sanctioned by both the USCCB and BSA. There are nearly 100,000 Catholic Scouts in more than 5,000 units led by nearly 40,000 Catholic Scouting leaders across the U.S. For more information about NCCS, visit https://nccs-bsa.org/ and for more information about Catho­lic Scouting, visit https://catholicscouting.com.