Long Valley Eagle Scout Spotlight: Rocco Gallara

LONG VALLEY, NJ — Rocco Gallara is one of 10 boys over the past few months in 2021 from Long Valley Boy Scout Troop 436 who has attained Eagle Scout ranking.

His Scoutmaster W. Scott O’Neil said Gallara became an Eagle on June 27.

Gallara’s mother Mary Ann said before her son transferred to Troop 436 in early 2018, he kicked off his scouting career in the first grade with Long Valley’s Cub Scout Pack 36, where he enjoyed activities over the years, including the annual Pinewood Derby.

In February 2015, Rocco Gallara earned the Arrow of Light Award, bridging to Boy Scout Troop 36 and started to garner merit badges and lead patrols of scouts during camping trips. In 2016, he reached different milestones in scouting including Tenderfoot, Second Class Scout and First Class Scout. In 2017 while still with Troop 36, he reached Star Scout that October.

After becoming a member of Troop 436, Gallara became a Life Scout in September 2018.

“Rocco has served in various leadership positions in both troops, including Assistant Senior Patrol Leader,” said Mary Ann Gallara.

As part of his leadership training, Rocco Gallara completed Trainer’s Edge, the week-long Patriots’ Path National Youth Leadership Training in 2017. That year, he was also inducted into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s Honor Society.

In 2018, Gallara earned the brotherhood honor, serving the Woapalanne Lodge as the District Representative.

“As an active member of both troops 36 and 436, Rocco has earned 31 merit badges throughout his scouting career,” Mary Ann Gallara also said.

For his Eagle Scout project, Rocco Gallara spent approximately 182 hours with his team in Spring 2020, soaring above the COVID-19 challenges to renovate the teaching garden at his former elementary school in Long Valley, the Old Farmer’s Road School.

“The project was designed as part of the school’s science curriculum to teach the children about how plants and vegetables grow,” his mother said, which included constructing benches for students, as well as a tool shed for the garden.

After finishing the project in September 2020, Rocco Gallara completed his Board of Review for Eagle Scout a couple of months later in November.

He has been a high honor roll and honor roll student at West Morris High School and is a cello player for the high school’s orchestra, also competing nationally in orchestra competitions.

A junior volunteer with the Long Valley Fire Company No. 1, the fire company also recognized Gallara for his achievement with a celebratory Facebook post.

In the fall while finishing his senior year of high school, Gallara also plans to attend fire training three nights weekly.

While he’s not scouting, volunteering with the fire department, in school or participating in other activities, his mother says Gallara enjoys, “working in his father’s garage, tinkering on trucks, go-carts, and antique cars and tractors.”

After high school, she says he plans to go to college to major in mechanical engineering.

“Rocco’s scouting career and achieving the Eagle Scout rank has made him realize how much he values service to his community,” his mother said. “It has led him to becoming a junior volunteer fire fighter for the town of Long Valley and it makes me proud every time he leaves the house for a fire call. I know he wants to help in whatever way he can.”

O’Neil said other Troop 436 Scouts recognized in 2021 include: Liam O’Shea, David Escudero, Andrew Radwan, James Kildea, Dylan Brett, Michael Villanella, Andrew Spina, Caleb Smith and Gavin Cuccaro.

See related stories below about other Eagle Scouts recognized within Long Valley in 2021.

Another Long Valley Scout Earns Eagle Rank
Eagle Scout Celebrated For Achievement In Long Valley
More Eagle Scouts Soar In Long Valley

Editor’s Note: Have an Eagle Scout in Long Valley who hasn’t had their accomplishments profiled yet? Contact me below for more information.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at jennifer.miller@patch.com.