Scouting's highest rank, Eagle Scout, was presented to Scouts Michael Corti and Tom Wolinski, of Plandome Troop 71, at their Eagle Court of Honor on June 20. Michael and Tom, Troop 71'st 62nd and 63rd Eagle Scouts in its 75 year history, were presented with this prestigious award in the presence of family, friends and dignitaries at the Plandome Village Hall.

Michael Corti, 17, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert J. Corti of Munsey Park. He has recently entered his senior year at Manhasset High School, where he is an honor student, a member of the National Honor Society, and was named AP scholar by the Educational Testing Service. Mike is an accomplished musician, playing the trumpet, and was recently selected to be a member of the All State Symphonic Band. He also participated in All County band and All County orchestra. In addition, he is a member of the marching band, jazz band, symphonic band, brass choir and theatre pit orchestra at Manhasset High School. He participated in the Berkley School of Music Jazz Festival and received the first place Best Soloist Award. He is a member of the Port Washington summer band. Because of his musical abilities, Michael was elected to the Tri-M Music Honor Society at Manhasset High School.

Mike is also a representative in student government, a peer mentor, peer drug educator, peer responder and active in the baseball program. He was also an altar server at the Church of St. Mary's.

In Corti's scouting career, he has served as patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and bugler. He participated in two of the troop's high adventure trips, canoeing the Allagash River and mountain climbing in Maine's Baxter State Park and New Hampshire's White Mountains. He served as crew chief on the White Mountain trip. He was elected a member of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's camping honor society.

For his Eagle project, Mike planned and provided leadership for a group of Troop 71 Scouts as they performed 120 hours of community service in collecting, cleaning and repairing used Scout uniforms and camping equipment, which were then provided to needy troops in Glen Cove and Lake Luzerne, NY.

Tom Wolinski began his Scouting career as a Cub Scout in Pack 3, where he received the highest award in Cub Scouting, the Arrow of Light. Tom continued in Scouting as a Boy Scout in Troop 71, where he advanced through the ranks and served in a variety of leadership positions with his former Cub pack, his troop, and at summer camps. Among the positions that Tom held were: junior assistant Scoutmaster, troop guide, instructor, assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leader, and den chief. Tom also completed the junior leadership orientation program.

During his Scouting career, Tom was presented with the following awards: Scoutmasters Award, Junior Assistant Scoutmasters Award, Service Award for Leadership, Brownsea Patch for Leadership and the Den Chief Service Award. Tom was also elected by his peers to membership in the "Order of the Arrow," an elite brotherhood of honor campers.

Among his numerous outdoor adventures in scouting, Tom served as crew chief on the troop's river rafting trip, canoed the Delaware River, and was a varsity crew member who participated in his troop's High Adventure Experience, climbing the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Tom developed and conducted a book drive for disadvantaged children. He led fellow Scouts in collecting over 1,500 books, and distributed them to out-reach programs sponsored by the Port Washington School District and St. Peter's Elementary School in Port Washington.

On his trail to Eagle Scout, Tom demonstrated his enthusiasm and varied interests by earning more than the required number of merit badges for Eagle rank. Accordingly, in addition to being awarded his Eagle rank, Tom was presented with the Eagle Bronze Palm for merit badge achievement, Scout spirit, and leadership. Tom has since completed the requirements for the Gold Palm, the second of three possible palms. His ambition is to earn the third and highest palm, the Eagle Silver Palm.

Tom, 16, a junior at Manhasset High School, is also active in extra curricular activities at school. Tom has been a member of the stage crew, constructing sets for theater productions, and is a member of the audio-visual unit, where he serves as camera operator, sound and light technician. In addition, Tom has also worked as a camera operator and sound technician for Public Access TV in Great Neck. During the summer, Tom was asked to be part of a technical crew at Manhasset High School, where he participated in the installation and coordination of the new computer systems in the Manhasset School District.

In 1997, Tom was honored at an awards dinner hosted by the Manhasset Kiwanis Club, where he was presented with the Academic Achievement Award. At his Eagle Court of Honor, Tom was also presented with Manhasset High School's Leadership Medal, by teachers Susan Horn and Rosanne Buckleman.

In addressing his audience at the Eagle Court of Honor, Tom acknowledged the support, assistance, and encouragement of his parents, Tom and Nancy Wolinski of Flower Hill, his sisters Tricia and Catherine, Scoutmaster Scott Christensen, Manhasset High School teachers Susan Horn and Rosanne Buckleman, Manhasset children's librarian Nancy Bocard, the Plandome Association for sponsoring Troop 71, and all those who donated books in support of his project. Tom reminisced about some of his most memorable experiences in Scouting, citing his High Adventure mountain climbing experience as his most challenging and rewarding outdoor adventure. Speaking directly to the younger boys in his troop, Tom encouraged them to enjoy the many challenges and opportunities Scouting has to offer.

Dignitaries representing Nassau County, New York State, the Manhasset community, and the Boy Scouts of America were in attendance at the Court of Honor to present Michael and Tom with acknowledgments of achievement. Among those present were Nassau County Executive, Thomas S. Gulotta; Assemblyman, Thomas P. DiNapoli; North Hempstead Town Supervisor, May Newburger; John Tucci, representing Congressman Peter King; Bob O'Brian, representing Senator Michael Balboni; Frank Padar, commanding officer of the American Legion, Post 304; Kiwanis president and commanding officer of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 5063; Selwyn Rudnick; and Senior District Executive Brian Luss, Boy Scouts of America, Theodore Roosevelt Council. Michael and Tom were presented with congratulatory letters from President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Senator Alfonse Di'Amato and Governor George Pataki.

The Court of Honor concluded with both Eagle Scouts reciting the Scout oath and reaffirming their commitment to Scouting.