Three Eagle Scout candidates, all from Boy Scout Troop 194 of Pleasanton, recently completed their Eagle Scout Service Projects in partnership with the City of Charlotte Public Library, the Atascosa Central Appraisal District and the Pleasanton Parks and Recreation benefiting the city pool.
The purpose of the Eagle Scout Service Project, in addition to providing service and fulfilling the part of the Scout oath, “To help other people at all times,” is to learn leadership skills, or to improve or demonstrate leadership skills they already have. Related to this are important lessons in project management and taking responsibility for a significant accomplishment.
Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The designation “Eagle Scout” was founded over 100 years ago. Only four percent of Boy Scouts are granted this rank after a lengthy review process. The requirements necessary to achieve this rank take years to fulfill. Since its founding, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by almost 2.5 million young men.
Wanish Tortes-McGinnis, Tex Anderson and Zander Temple, all life Scouts from Boy Scout Troop 194, presented their Eagle Scout Service Project proposals to the Mesquite District Eagle Review Board on July 27, via their very first Zoom meeting. Under the direction of Richard Morris, Mesquite Dis- trict Eagle Board Chairman, including board members Andrew Belew, Thomas Bentimiglia and Christopher Mendoza, Mesquite District Executive, all three scouts received approval on their projects.
Safety is a large part of the planning of an Eagle Scout project. Each of the three Eagle Scout Candidates held safety meetings with all volunteers the morning of their project. They discussed with all volunteers the wearing of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses, work gloves or disposable gloves, masks and the need to social distance. Also discussed was the designated place for all tools not in use so that no one would trip or fall over them.
Wanish Tortes-McGinnis
Wanish Tortes-McGinnis’ Eagle Scout Service Project was completed on Saturday, August 22. Wanish and his 25 volunteers created a reading garden area at the new Charlotte Public Library. The City of Charlotte staff removed the existing dead grass and existing top soil in the area in preparation for this project.
The volunteers planted two olive trees, one desert willow tree and 12 shrubs. They added new topsoil to the garden area all the way to the fence. After the planting was complete, the group laid out a drip water system to water all of the plants. A 10’x10’ pergola was also assembled by the men of the troop which will provide shade to the visitors reading in the new garden.
By adding this reading garden feature, it will make it a nicer environment area for families to come and spend time together at the Library. Three Adirondack chairs have been placed and two lifeguard-style chairs will be placed under the pergola for readers to sit under the shade.
The library’s stakeholders and patrons provided the funds to purchase the 12 drought-resistant and native plants, chairs, pergola, two olive trees, one desert willow tree and four square yards of top soil. Plants and soil were provided by Atascosa Garden Market. Volunteers were fed breakfast tacos and bottled water. Special thanks to Chile Bandera for discounting the breakfast tacos. The opening date for the new library is Nov. 1. This project was under the direction of Marianne McGinnis, Librarian.
Tex Anderson
Tex Anderson’s Eagle Scout Service Project was completed on Saturday, Sept. 12. Tex and his 11 volunteers refurbished an existing garden area at the Atascosa Central Appraisal District office in Pleasanton. The original raised gardens had been planted by students of the Pleasanton Elementary years ago and contained rocks handpainted by the students.
The group of volunteers created a water conservation butterfly garden planting esperanza, lantana, salvia, gaura and Gregg’s mist foliage that draws in butterflies and hummingbirds. They added new soil and mulch and the frames were repaired and painted dark brown. After the garden was finished the group placed the painted rocks around the two beds and inside the garden beds to create shapes to decorate the garden.
Two humming bird feeders hanging from shepherd’s hooks were also added. Volunteers were fed breakfast tacos and bottled water. The plants, wood, paint and hardware were provided by the Atascosa Central Appraisal District. This project was under the direction of Donna Berry, Administrative Assistant for the Atascosa Central Appraisal District.
Zander Temple
Zander Temple’s Eagle Scout Service Project was completed on Saturday, Sept. 19. Zander and his 25 volunteers painted the building exterior at the Pleasanton City Pool. In preparation for this project, three city staff employees painted primer on the building exterior which helped minimize the amount of oil-based paint needed to cover the area.
The building was painted in three colors, Navaho beige on smooth surface, saddle soap brown on the textured surface and the trim and doors were painted in a dark bronze color. By painting the exterior of the building at the city pool, it will match the color scheme of other buildings in the Pleasanton Sports Complex and the Pleasanton River Park.
Most of the scouts had never painted before so this project also taught them a new skill. Volunteers were fed breakfast tacos, bottled water, pizza and brownies. Special thanks to H-E-B for donating 96 bottles of water and Chile Bandera for discounting the breakfast tacos. All of the oil-based paint was donated by the City of Pleasanton. This project was under the direction of Greg Leach, Parks and Recreation Director, City of Pleasanton.
The three Eagle Scout candidates are working on completing their final project reports in preparation for their Final Eagle Board of reviews that will take place in October and November. Joett Morrison has served as the Eagle Coach to all three Eagle Scout candidates and stated that she is very proud of all three young men as they did a great job in guiding each of their groups of volunteers to complete their service projects. She has seen them grow up to respectable young men and they are all a true blessing to their families and to their community.
Leave a Reply