Byram's Alex Dockery formally advances to Eagle Scout

Byram — Alexander P. Dockery of Troop 276, Byram, formally advanced to the rank of Eagle Scout at a ceremony held in his honor at The Adam Todd in Byram.

Dockery’s accomplishment was the culmination of 12 years of Scouting commitment and achievement. He is one of the 2 percent of Scouts nationwide that attain the rank of Eagle, Boy Scouting’s highest honor. At the recent celebration, Dockery received commendations from several leaders and dignitaries, including Byram Mayor and Assistant Scoutmaster James Oscovitch. An American flag will be flown over the U.S. Capitol in Dockery’s tribute (as is customary for new Eagle Scouts) and forwarded as a keepsake.

Dockery joined Byram Boy Scout Troop 276 in 2006, after “crossing over” from Cub Scout Pack 276, which he entered in first grade. As a Boy Scout, Dockery earned 29 Merit Badges (21 are required for Eagle rank), including achievements in Citizenship, Emergency Preparedness, Leadership, Personal Management, Public Speaking, Space Exploration and Wilderness Survival. He has mentored younger scouts in his positions as Troop Guide, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader.

Every Eagle Scout is required to execute a service project which demonstrates his responsibility, leadership and managerial capabilities. Along with several Troop 276 leaders, scouts and scout families, Dockery replaced a dilapidated stairway leading to the north-side athletic fields at Lenape Valley High School. The project required months of planning, approvals, material procurement, pre-assembly, good communications, organization and leadership skills to complete. Lowes, Netcong Hardware, Blue Ridge Lumber and other area retailers donated supplies. Steve Tesori of Steve’s Sussex County Landscaping donated both time and materials to support the project.

The 18-year-old graduates this month from LVHS, where he served as Vice President of the Junior and Senior Classes, earned Honor Roll every marking period, played several sports, and was a four-year member of DECA, where he placed twice as a State Finalist.

Dockery also generated close to 300 service hours (40 required for graduation). Many of these came through Scouting, as well as annual one-week Missions Trips sponsored by Grace Church of Netcong. The Missions Trips focus on service to the less fortunate, including those in Savannah, Ga., Grand Rapids, Mich., Fort Yates, N.D. (on an Indian reservation), and, during July 2013, in Millersville, Md. Dockery also has served his local community by co-managing a Manna House community food drive and involving himself in Relay for Life, Red Cross Blood Drives, fundraising for Cancer Research and other activities.

Dockery has worked part-time in the restaurant business for the last three years. He enjoys personal fitness, automobiles, electronics, travel, playing the drums and cooking. He earned Early Acceptance to the Business School at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, where he plans to major in Supply Chain Management.

The attainment of Eagle Scout is an honor that serves its achievers the rest of their lives, hence the Scouting phrase, “Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle.”