Nicholas Shatynski

Nicholas Shatynski from Whippany, New Jersey, was awarded the $2,000 Tony & Patrice Steenkolk Family Scholarship. Shatynski belongs to Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in the Ukrainian Catholic Archeparchy of Philadelphia and is a member of Scouting America Troop 173 in the Patriot’s Path Council.

Shatynski truly embodies the idea of servant leadership. When asked why volunteering is important to him, he responded,  “I am amazed at what one individual can do to have a positive impact on others. A few years ago, I heard a quote from my friend where he said, ‘Others Above Oneself.’ This phrase has stayed with me ever since and it is how I try to live my day-to-day life. I believe this is key to living a selfless and happy life.”

In service to the Catholic Church, Shatynski volunteered at Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Church as a lector, usher, religious education teacher and event food service and clean-up assistant. For the last several years, he helped organize Scout Sunday at his Ukrainian Catholic parish, helping Roman Catholic Scouts learn how to participate in the Ukrainian Catholic Divine Liturgy. Shatynski earned two Catholic Religious Emblems offered by Catholic Scouting America, completing Parvuli Dei and Light is Life (Eastern Rite).

Shatynski served his community in many ways. He worked extensively on county trail maintenance with the Patriots’ Path Trails of the Morris County Park Commission and volunteered at blood drives at the New York Blood Center. He contributed significant time to shoveling snow and helping with cleanup projects throughout his community. Shatynski also participated each year in the Flags and Wreaths for Veterans’ Graves program each Memorial Day and Christmas.

At Whippany Park High School, Shatynski served as president of Student Council for two years, vice president of Future Business Leaders and was a member of the National Honor Society. He also attended Boys State and was elected as an officer. Shatynski competed on the varsity soccer and track and field teams.

In Scouting, Shatynski held numerous leadership positions in his troop, including senior patrol leader and junior assistant Scoutmaster. He served on staff for five years with Patriots’ Path Council’s National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT), including serving as senior patrol leader for the 2026 course. Shatynski is a member of the Order of the Arrow (OA), Scouting America’s honor society. He served as a lodge officer and Elangomat and received Vigil Honors. For his Eagle Scout Project, Shatynski fulfilled a need for the Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter in East Hanover, NJ by leading a team to build four new insulated feral cat houses. He raised over $1,000 and donated the extra funds to the shelter.

This year, Catholic Scouting America awarded fifteen service scholarships totaling $40,000 to recognize Scouts nationwide for outstanding service and leadership in four areas: the Catholic Church, their community, school and Scouting. Since 2005, Catholic Scouting America (NCCS) has awarded a total of $348,000 in scholarships to 146 Scouts nationwide.