“When Nick told his Eagle counselor what he had in mind, the counselor cautioned Nick that the funds needed to complete the project far exceeded the average amount collected by Scouts for their Eagle projects,” says Nick’s mom Francesca. “Without a moment’s hesitation, Nick responded, ‘I think I can do it.’”
        Eagle is the highest rank a Boy Scout can achieve. The Scout must earn at least 21 merit badges and also serve in positions of leadership for their Troop. Nick has been a Den Chief in which capacity he helped lead a group of younger Cub Scouts and he has been the Awards Scribe for his Pack. To achieve the rank of Eagle, a scout must plan and execute a major project which requires enough work for 120 man hours from other Scouts and a minimum 50 hours of time commitment from the candidate alone. His formal proposal must be submitted in person to a Board of Review at which time the Board can ask questions about the project.
        Nick started his fundraising efforts in June with a letter-writing campaign. “I sent out letters to everyone that I knew, my mom knew, my dad knew, and our whole family. I raised a total of about $4,950,” says the dedicated Scout. He also held a multi-family garage sale in early October.
        The playground equipment came from Play and Leisure Systems. Nick met with the manager who gave him a 20% discount, free delivery, and provided for a company expert to be on the scene during assembly of the project. Papa John’s Pizza at Thomas and 3rd Avenue donated ten pizzas to feed all the Scouts, fathers and family members who showed up to work on the project, which also included landscaping.
        The homeless shelter on West Jefferson serves families in need of temporary assistance. “My mom knew a nun who worked at a center nearby and she directed me to Justa Center,” says Nick. The facility has space for about 15 families and also serves as a day resource center.
        “I think Nick’s dad and I are most proud of him because he took on a big project for people in true need,” says Francesca.
Nick’s involvement in scouting is a big part of his life, besides his other interests in playing saxophone and golf. “I have been in Scouts since first grade,” says Nick.
        Nick and his family have lived in the Arcadia area since 1992. Nick’s two younger brothers are Ingleside 6th-grader Will and Max who attends 3rd grade at Hopi. Mom Francesca says she likes the fact that Arcadia is such a close knit community. When they were looking for a home, Arcadia’s central location and support of education were two reasons they chose the area. “We loved the older neighborhood, the established traditions, and of course, we couldn’t beat the schools.”
        Nick’s mom tells the story of a young woman who met Nick at the homeless shelter when he was measuring the site where the play system was to be installed. The woman had spent a week at the shelter previously and was now moving into her own apartment with her daughter, but was returning to the facility to help out because she had gotten a hand when she needed one and thanked Nick for what he was doing. “Those are life lessons parents only dream about being able to teach their children,” says Nick’s mom Francesca, “And it is only one of many that Nick has been able
to experience first hand in achieving Eagle.”

E-mail Tracy at: tracywerth@cox.net.

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