Judd Rattner joins the elite band of Boy Scouts to attain the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest in Scouting at a gala celebration surrounded by family, friends, Scouts and public officials.

Rattner organized, as his Eagle Scout project, a blood drive. He started planning the drive in March of 2001 and the date was set for Sept. 15, '02, four days after the World Trade Tower disaster. Consequently many last minute revisions, including moving the blood drive to another location as well as having a collection of emergency supplies delivered to the rescue workers. Throughout it all, Rattner remained calm and focused.

Rattner has been involved in scouting for the last 12 years; first as a Tiger Scout and then as a Cub in Pack No. 498 in New Hyde Park. At that time he received the Arrow of Light, the highest award for Cub Scouts.

In the sixth grade he joined Troop No. 298 and has been with that troop ever since. He has earned a total of 42 merit badges, plus he has held many troop positions including Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He received the Heroism Award in 1996 and Scout of the Year in 2000. He has participated in numerous Scouting activities including leadership training, whitewater rafting, rock climbing, skiing, camping, rifle shooting, summer camp at Yawgoog, Three-Mile River, Winnebago, Tri-Mount and has attended two National Jamborees at Fort Ap Hill, Va.

Rattner is a senior at New Hyde Park Memorial High School, New Hyde Park. While in high school he has been involved in Mathletes, concert band, Future Business Leaders of America and this year he started a Stock Club. He has also participated in NYSMMA, All-District and All-County Band. He is a state and county representative at math and business competitions. Further, he is an AP scholar and a member of the Senior National Honor Society. He plans to attend Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the fall and will major in Management and Technology.

Rattner has been a member of Temple Sholom in Floral Park for nine years and became a Bar Mitzvah in 1997.

He is also a DJ for Spectrum music and does computer work for Cadac, Inc.. Plus, he makes power point presentations for both the community and the school.