Testimonials

I am honored and humbled to have the privilege to write a short passage about Eagle Scout Zachary Zabatta for the Memorial Scholarship Fund.

Zach was a very talented and gifted young man. I first met Zachery back in Stewart Manor Elementary school and then got to know him as he entered our Boy Scout Troop 298. I watched him grow, learn and then lead our young Scouts. He held Troop Leadership positions, earned 40 merit badges, and always gave back to the community of New Hyde Park. In fact, just in our Troop alone, Zach completed over 76 community service hours. He organized and ran projects at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, our Troop’s charter organization, and his Eagle Project at St. Mary’s, where he built out a storage room. I’m proud to say that Zachary’s training, leadership skills, and service before self earned him the rank of Eagle Scout! A huge accomplishment as only about 7% of all Scouts obtain the rank of Eagle!

Even outside of scouting Zach selflessly gave himself to our communities.

He traveled to West Virginia and helped repair several homes in a disadvantaged urban community. In high school, he was always conscientious, consistently applying himself to his studies. He was an active member of numerous clubs, including the Italian Club, Science Olympiad, Stock Market Club, Scholar Service Institute, and League of Compassion (a service club). Zachary was a member of the National Honor Society and was ranked #1 in his class. A truly astonishing young man ready to take on the world.

At the time when Zach was with us, I was his Scoutmaster in our Troop. He and I developed a special relationship. As his Scoutmaster, I would always tell all the boys and their parents that I treat every Scout like they are my own kids. I will teach them, mentor them praise them, let them know when they are wrong, and most importantly, keep them safe, care for them and protect them. Zach realized that early in his Scouting year during one bitterly cold morning in November.

Zach learned the hard way after not following my guidance as Scoutmaster guidance and froze his feet after a night of camping. Being an early riser, I found Zach outside his tent at sunrise, stumbling and having difficulty walking. I obviously knew what happened, brought him to a cabin, and took care of him. As his feet thawed and he endured the pain, he stared at me and cried, but at that point, he knew my words were true and that I would be there for him, and from that point, the relationship grew. After that, we would take many more trips all over the Northeast. I taught him to hike, camp, shoot, swim, fish, ski, navigate, orient, and survive. At times we would learn together and work together. And yes, there were a few more bumps and bruises along the way. As he grew older, he became more inquisitive and smarter, and his questions became more difficult. At times, I needed a little more time to think before responding. At times, I wasn’t sure of the answer, so when I did eventually respond, he would give that “look” as if he knew I was bluffing or rolling his eyes. I would then instruct him to research the answer. Zach being Zach, would then come back to me with the answer…and we both learned.

I am so grateful to have known Eagle Scout Zachary Zabatta and been a part of his life. He was a kind, intuitive, curious, and intelligent young man who will forever hold a place in my heart.

–Rainer Burger
Assistant Scoutmaster, Troop 298 New Hyde Park
Village Trustee of New Hyde Park
Vice Commander of the New Hyde Park American Legion Post 1089