As Long Beach native Alexis Ricoy rose through the ranks of Scouts BSA, she worked toward becoming an Eagle Scout — the highest honor in scouting. On May 30, she achieved that goal at a Court of Honor ceremony at St. Agnes Parish Center, in Rockville Centre.
She joined Troop 163G, in Rockville Centre, after its merger with Troop 215G in Long Beach. Each completed a community service project and fulfilled leadership, merit badge and service requirements to earn the Eagle rank.
Ricoy, 18, started her scouting journey with Troop 215G when she was 13, after she and her mother, Shannan Ricoy, helped establish the troop during the coronavirus pandemic. Serving as a senior patrol leader, Alexis played a key role in building the troop and guiding younger scouts.
Ricoy has volunteered at the Village Garden, in Atlantic Beach, since she was in middle school at Long Beach Catholic Regional School. She was introduced to the garden by a friend and learned that it donates produce to the Long Beach Soup Kitchen.
“I already had the relationship with the people [at Village Garden], she said. “Knowing I was directly impacting someone in my community and the Atlantic Beach community made me really happy.”
Ricoy decided to use her Eagle Scout project to continue her work at the garden. She has an interest in addressing food insecurity and constructed a vertical planting box — a ladder-like structure with shelves for plants — there.
The project began about two years ago when Ricoy approached garden leaders with an idea for her Eagle Scout project. Working collaboratively with staff, she designed a vertical planting bed that would house native plants while also meeting the requirements for scouting’s highest rank.
“She was incredibly responsible and self-possessed,” Suzy Schneider, garden volunteer said. “Alexis designed the project, organized a team and oversaw the construction of the vertical bed. She was remarkably capable for someone her age.”
Schneider said Ricoy stood out for her maturity, leadership and attention to detail throughout the process.
“It was a pleasure working with her,” she added. “She was intelligent, motivated and competent. From the beginning, I had the impression that she would be successful in whatever path she chose.”
The vertical bed continues to serve the garden’s educational and environmental mission, while also standing as a lasting example of Ricoy’s commitment to conservation and community service.
Steve Bo, scoutmaster for Troop 163G, commended her efforts and noted the dedication to scouting.
“I have been working with both Alexis for years,” he said. “To see her progress pay off was special.”
Ricoy will Graduate from Long Beach High School later this month and attend Hofstra University in the fall, where she plans to study business management and accounting.