Montclair High School senior and Life Scout in Troop 13 Montclair Christian Uva decided to focus his Eagle Project on a former MHS student — the second man to walk on the moon, Buzz Aldrin.
“‘Buzz Aldrin, From Montclair to the Moon’ is meant to inspire kids by recounting how Dr. Aldrin grew up in Montclair, went to all the same schools many of us have, and ended up exploring space and walking on the moon,” Uva wrote in an email to Montclair Local.
Uva’s informational board is installed in front of the the playground at Edgemont Park. A Sept. 12 unveiling of Uva’s work featured science and space activities, a space trivia contest, prizes and giveaways.
Assistance Scoutmaster Nick DeToustain kicked off the event, Troup 13 said on Facebook, “speaking eloquently about Buzz Aldrin’s life, importance to the space race and his ability to inspire.” Also attending and taking part were Deputy Mayor Bill Hurlock, Councilman Peter Yacobellis and Councilman Bob Russo.
Kids also helped themselves to space giveaways — astronaut plushies, celestial pencils, bookmarks with facts about the planets, NASA bracelets and rubber balls painted like the planets, Troop 13 wrote. Several also answered trivia questions Christian posed to them, to win Astronaut Ice Cream.