Santa Monica Troop 2 Awards Eagle Scout Rank to Nine Local Youth By Scoutmaster Mr. John Matise

This year’s Troop 2 Eagle Scouts completed a wide range of public service projects which are goals for the scout troop. They were: Julian Alexander Grosky – Palisades Charter High School, Class of 2026. “We contributed two outdoor features to the Covenant Preschool in Westchester, Los Angeles: a large planter box and a chalkboard. The concept was to encourage positive experiences for the preschool kids in their outdoor areas.”
Zach Matise – Loyola High School Class of 2027. “We planted 22 eucalyptus trees and five cypress trees, and cleared an overgrown tennis court, restoring areas of Will Rogers State Historic Park that were devastated by the Palisades Fire.”
Oscar Park – North Hollywood High School Class of 2027. “At Kuruvungna Sacred Springs in West Los Angeles we cleared and restored a large overgrown section of land.

This included the removal of invasive weeds and vines, and the application of sheet mulching, which helps control weeds.”
Mario Scaduto – Santa Monica High School Class of 2027. “At Kuruvungna Sacred Springs we restored native species along the edges of the natural springs pond, and constructed a flagstone ramp to improve accessibility. The new ramp provides easier passage for visitors and wheelchair users.”
Jacob Browning – Santa Monica High School Class of 2026. “At the Will Rogers Elementary School Regenerative Farm we built ten garden mesh protective “crates” to be placed over vegetation, and five bee “hotels” filled with bamboo and sticks to create inviting homes for bees and bugs to nest.”
Nathan Hall – Palisades Charter High School Class of 2026. “My project involved planting 21 trees along the road at the entrance to Will Rogers State Historic Park, helping to restore areas devastated by the Palisades Fire. Troop 2 Scouts worked together in teams to dig deep holes, and then carefully placed and filled soil around the 8-foot trees.”
Jefferson Tinus – Santa Monica High School Class of 2027. “My project was the construction of a low fence around a parking lot in Will Rogers State Historic Park. We dug 26 holes for posts, then placed and plumbed the fence posts, and anchored the post bases. The fence structure was built by attaching the face and supporting boards to the posts with screws.”
James Faries – Santa Monica High School Class of 2026. “My project benefitted the Santa Monica Animal Shelter. We built much needed seating and shade for dog owners, and created adjustable-height dog hurdles and hoop jumps for the doggies to enjoy while they waited for the day a family adopted them.”
Matthew Oleynikov – Santa Monica High School Class of 2027. “My project was the improvement of the cat section of the Santa Monica Animal Shelter. I designed five durable elevated beds, two bed complexes (one consisting of four beds and the other consisting of five beds), and three
scratch towers. We also sanded and re-stained the bench for guests.”
   Achieving the Eagle rank is the pinnacle of the scouting experience for these accomplished young men. The 2026 Eagles were asked to describe some favorite memories from their years in the troop.
• Matthew Oleynikov: “Camp Emerald Bay was my first Summer camp, and one of the most enjoyable camping experiences. I still vividly remember rising at sunrise to stand-up paddle on the calm ocean. I also shot my first rifle there. I swam my first mile, competed in the camp-wide relay, and explored the Catalina Island marine life. What tied it all together was the campfire on the final night. All the troops gathered around the fire, and as I sat among the friends I had spent the week with, I reflected on how that first full week in nature had changed me.”
• James Faries: “Backpacking in the Grand Tetons is my favorite memory from my years in Troop 2. There were so many breathtaking views! From witnessing the peaks of the Tetons from Hurricane Pass, to looking down into Death Canyon from Death Canyon Shelf. The Grand Tetons showed me what natural beauty can truly be, and it is something I will never forget for the rest of my life.”
• Jefferson Tinus: “Easily my favorite outdoor experience with Troop 2 was my very first high adventure trip to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. My group of fairly new Scouts was able to tackle a challenging canoe journey. We were so fortunate to be able to experience such a vast amount of beautifully preserved nature. This adventure really opened my eyes to the world of Scouting, and paved the way for so many more adventures. I think that’s why this first trip held so much significance for me. Additionally, with my family being from Minnesota, it felt like a sort of homecoming.”
• Nathan Hall: “Deep in the Amazon Rainforest we worked long days with indigenous Maijuna People, painting their community house, planting trees, and constructing a dock that would serve them for years to come. One evening the entire troop ventured onto a small island at the heart of the river and gathered around a bonfire. As the fire gradually dwindled and the scouts, thoroughly exhausted, began to doze off, a
voice commanded, “Turn off your lights!” Then an unforgettable moment unfolded. As the last light was extinguished and we sat nestled amidst the serene silence of the jungle, we all turned our gaze to the sky, where the stars painted a mesmerizing tapestry across the night.”
• Jacob Browning: “Backpacking through Yellowstone National Park remains the most memorable adventure of my years in Troop 2. It was a grueling and exhilarating conquest. I can still feel the weight of my pack as we fought up vertical ridges, singing for miles to combat our fatigued legs, relentless rain, unstable scree, and waist-deep river currents. The wilderness was unreal, from the lingering mist clinging to massive hills and skyscraper trees that touched the sky, the roaring waterfalls, to the warmth of the hidden hot springs where we soaked our aching muddy feet. Every mile sometimes felt like a lifetime, and every campsite we took turned the journey from a challenge into an accomplishment.”
• Mario Scaduto: “One trip that stands out above the rest for me was the Boundary Waters of Minnesota. Canoeing through miles of connected lakes and crossing the dozens of portage trails was surreal, and spending all that time in unspoiled wilderness far from any roads or cell towers was honestly intense. The weight of a canoe on your shoulders while you hauled it over land, the ache in your arms after a full day of paddling, and setting up camp as the sun went down, were brutal. But every morning, once we were out on the glassy open water surrounded by pure nature, none of
that mattered.”
• Oscar Park: “My most memorable trip in Scouting was our expedition to the Peruvian Amazon where we had the amazing opportunity to spend time with the indigenous Maijuna people. We planted coconut trees in their village, played soccer together, and even performed a short skit for them in Spanish. We took freezing cold showers surrounded by bugs, and kayaked down rivers while dodging Catclaw along the banks. My most vivid memories were walking 100 feet above the rainforest on a suspended canopy walkway, and toasting marshmallows on a sandbar in the middle
of the Rio Napo. This trip holds a special place in my heart because the people were incredibly welcoming, and the food was amazing.”
• Zach Matise: “My most memorable experience in Troop 2 was the 2025 Peru High Adventure. We ventured deep into the Amazon rainforest and spent time at the Sucusari village alongside the Maijuna tribe. During one torrential downpour, I spotted Maijuna children playing soccer on their muddy field and joined in with a few other scouts. We slid across the field and tumbled into puddles, the rain washing it all away as quickly as it came. That spontaneous game was the most fun I have ever had playing soccer. It showed me that despite being thousands of miles from home,
I could still feel like part of their community.”
• Julian Alexander Grosky: “Troop 2’s 2024 trip to Zion Canyon National Park was my favorite experience. My crew had the opportunity to rappel and hike some of the most coveted trails and canyoneering routes in the United States, including the Top Down Narrows route and the Top Down Subway Route. Looking up from the bottom of 20-foot-wide canyons at sandstone walls rising up more than fifteen hundred feet was awe inspiring. Seeing sand dunes transformed into rock formations, and how water had carved beautiful, narrow paths, gave me a truly sublime feeling. The experience also gave me a newfound sense of confidence. I felt secure enough to rig my own 100-foot rappelling setups in the backcountry without guides for support. It may not have been the most remote or difficult trip with Troop 2, but it definitely was my favorite.”
   Troop 2 is one of the largest Scout troops in the western United States. In its remarkable 79-year history, Troop 2 has awarded Eagle Scout rank to 406 deserving individuals. The storied troop has traveled to Scout camps and high adventure destinations throughout the United States and South America, and altogether, Troop 2 Scouts have saved more than 67 lives using CPR, water rescue, first aid, and other skills and training.
   These nine Eagle Scouts flourished in Troop 2 under the care and guidance of Scoutmaster John Matise, supported by the tireless work of the small army of devoted assistant scoutmasters, many of whom continue to contribute their time despite having sons who have long since completed their years in the Troop.