Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 970 member Zosia Teraszkiewicz led a dedication ceremony, on October 31, in honor of the educational beehive display she provided to the Beardsley Zoo earlier this season.

The event marked the completion of her Eagle Scout Project, as chronicled in The Newtown Bee’s September 24 article, “Teen Beekeepers Donate Colony To Beardsley Zoo.”

In Zosia’s speech she thanked her mentor and friend Jeffrey Shwartz, a local beekeeper and educator who passed away last year.

“Jeff taught me so much in such a short time,” Zosia told the crowd before her. “So to honor his positive energy to all creatures great and small, with your help I have created this bee yard with educational signs, a sitting area to watch the bees, a garden for the bees to forage and a calm, peaceful area to sit back and enjoy some quiet time.”

She also expressed gratitude to others who helped her along her journey as a beekeeper, including Ed Weiss, Dick Marron, Erin Nikitchyuk, Leslie Huston, and her family.

Zosia concluded her speech saying, “Thank you to Miss Erin for guiding me through this process, to Miss Leslie for donating the bees and being my contact, for the Backyard Beekeepers Association for helping to make this happen, my Scouts friends for helping with the work, and everyone else who has made this area possible. Thank you all for coming to honor an amazing friend!”

Her mother Kelly Teraszkiewicz said that roughly 30 people attended the outdoor ceremony.

“The dedication went really well... There were family, friends, Jeff’s wife [Nancy Shwartz], Backyard Beekeeper members, and victory garden members,” Teraszkiewicz said.

Not only were people in attendance to show their support for Zosia, but also to show their appreciation for her project that is designed to help bee populations.

Teraszkiewicz noted, “We even threw native seed bombs to help encourage pollinator friendly plants to grow. They were made by Michael Nikityuchuk from Troop 770 and tossed into the meadow by everyone.”

Those interested in seeing Zosia’s beehive can visit the Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.