Eagle Scout project benefits Fritsch
They looked like a chain gang.
Through syncopated rhythm, men young and old brought their down shovels and hoes onto the weeds, effectively cutting them off from existence. On the other side of the school grounds, women and children were picking up trash, repairing the track circle and supplying everyone with an unconditional amount of pizza and water.
This event was an Eagle Scout Project headed by David McMasters on June 22 to improve Fritsch Elementary School’s track and playground for generations to come.
McMasters carried out this project in order to “create a fun and safe environment for the elementary school kids to play in.”
Ron Thornton, his Scoutmaster, was pleased proclaiming, “It was a really good turnout—over forty people showed up to help work.”
The Eagle Project, in the Scouting program, is one of the last steps needed to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank possible. The purpose of Scouting is to instill certain values and ethics into young men through service and responsibility.
When asked how scouting has affected him, McMasters responded, “Scouting has given me leadership opportunities and has taught me responsibility within my troop.”
Merrill Asp, another Scout who is currently submitting his paperwork to receive the Eagle Scout Award agreed with him, saying, “If it wasn’t for Scouting, I wouldn’t have grown up the same.”
This has not been the only project to improve Fritsch. According to Ron Thornton, “Two other Eagle Projects, over the last couple of years, have helped shape and develop Fritsch’s school and play ground into what it is today.”
Through the first project, community members painted lines for numerous activities such as basketball, hopscotch and dodge ball. However, the second project helped refurbish Fritsch through the sanding and painting benches, the repainting red curbs, and the adding of door safety circles to protect students from the classrooms’ heavy metal doors.