Junior Hayden Fox recently reached the rank of Eagle Scout, thanks to the planter boxes he built for Lutz Elementary School for his Eagle project.
He made eight boxes, and the school is partnering with Churchview Farms to make use of the planters.
Fox was talking with Supt. Dr. Randal Lutz when he came up with the idea.
“I thought that the courtyard was pretty bland, so I suggested some greenery, and that turned into the planter boxes,” Fox said.
Before building the planter boxes, Fox did a presentation for Lutz, Principal Heatherlyn Wessel, and Assistant Principal Noah Wolf.
“The presentation was very good,” Wolf said. “He was very prepared, had CAD drawings of the boxes, measurements, and options for the final design like painting or charring with a torch, and we were able to ask questions.”
The boxes will be used for a garden project that will be organized by staff and students.
Fox and his brother, freshman Bryson Fox, built the boxes together. They are both part of Boy Scout Troop 338.
To achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, a scout must earn 21 merit badges, 14 of which are required, such as first aid and citizenship. The scout also must also be active in the troop, serve in a leadership role, and complete the Eagle project, which must be a self-led project that benefits the community.
Sophomore Emmett Williams, who is also a member of Troop 338, said the Eagle project is an important step in a Boy Scout’s career.
“The Eagle project is a public service project proposed and carried out by the scouts,” Williams said. “This project is completely managed by the scouts and has little adult interference. The project is needed to become an Eagle Scout, and is a time when many different leadership and skills are learned”.
For Fox, becoming an Eagle Scout means showing ¨great determination, and leadership and putting in hard work.”
Fox began scouting when he was 6. Scouting America requires dedication and skill to rise throughout the ranks, he said.
“Work hard and be there every day,” Fox said of his approach to scouting.
Despite the long journey to attain the Eagle Scout rank, it was all worth it in the end, he said.
“Boy Scouts is something to have fun, learn many skills, and do many things for your community” Fox said.
Fox had to step up and become a leader as he moved through the ranks. He said his favorite leadership role was junior assistant scoutmaster, because he had about 90 percent of the responsibility of the senior patrol leader.
To achieve leadership roles, scouts must explain why they would be a good fit for the role. The troop then votes to choose the scout who would be the best fit.
Scouting also provides opportunities to connect with nature, and many scouters go on hikes.
“A camping memory that stuck with me was the first time I went to Summit Bechtel Reserve, because of the amount of walking activities and the fact that it was a week long,” Fox said.
