New Eagle Scout flies during special ceremony
IMPERIAL — The Boys Scouts of America awarded Dominic Fiorenza its highest honor recently at the Veteran’s Hall here.
The Calipatria High School senior was promoted to Eagle Scout during a Court of Honor ceremony on Feb. 1. Fiorenza was surrounded by family, friends, fellow scouts, mentors and community leaders in celebration his achievement.
Tim Kelley, president and chief executive o cer at Imperial Valley Economic Development Corp., served as master of ceremonies.
Only about 4 percent of Boy Scouts are granted the rank of Eagle Scout, subject to approval by a board of review. Among the requirements is earning a minimum of 21 merit badges and completing a community service project.
Fiorenza’s Eagle project consisted of repairing and/ or replacing more than 120 wooden posts and replacing over 3,200 feet if barbed wire fence. Dominic’s project also included replacing the main gate with new masonry columns and ornamental metal gate at the main entrance to the Imperial Valley Conservation Research Center.
“My project included planning, getting permitting, fundraising the money to buy the materials needed, purchase the materials, organize my volunteers and equipment,” he said. “I also had to keep a log of my progress.”
“Dominic has a special gift relative to leadership,” Ross G Simmons, scoutmaster for Troop 4070, said. “It’s not that he particularly seeks it, so much as it is repeatedly thrust upon him, and he is not begrudging in his acceptance. He’s ‘wanted,’ I suspect, for the reliability and precision with which he approaches that charge. … This is something I say of very few: Dominic embodies the Scout Law.”
Fiorenza recently was accepted into Johnson and Wales University in Denver, where he’ll pursue studies in culinary arts, and food and beverage industry management. His plans are to become a professional chef.
Dallana Gomez, culinary arts instructor at Calipatria High School said she first met Fiorenza when she was teaching a summer cooking camp when he was only 12 years old.
“Since then, I saw that his love for food and cooking was obvious,” she said. “I am so proud of him.”
Dignitaries who recognized Fiorenza during the Court of Honor ceremony included representatives from the offices of state Sen. Ben Hueso and Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia, as well as Imperial Irrigation District Government A airs and Communication O ce Antonio Ortega, county Board of Supervisors Chairman Luis Plancarte and Brawley Mayor Norma Kastner-Jaurequi.
“I couldn’t be more proud of Dominic,” said his father, Frank Fiorenza, an adult troop leader with Troop 4070. “He has worked very hard to get to this point. It is amazing to see how many people have come to be a part of his Eagle Court of Honor. There were so many people and businesses that support his project. We are so grateful to all.”
Dominic expressed both his gratitude and his hope that he could be an inspiration to others. “I hope that other Boy Scouts can see me and say, “If he can do it, I can, too,’” he said. “I would love to see more Eagles flying in the Valley.”