Austin and Carson are now Eagle Scouts. Over the past year both worked really hard to complete their requirements and project to obtain the Eagle Scout rank. It was not easy and took a lot longer than anyone thought, but they both did it.
Austin began his project in October of 2012. His Aunt Cathy is the principal at a local elementary school and really wanted the United States map painted on their playground. Austin had already performed service hours for the school and had a connection with the staff and students so this was a good fit. He brought his project plan before the PTA board and members and requested funds for the project. There was an individual on the board that was so impressed with him and the project plan that they decided to gift him the money he needed to complete the project. We were off to a good start. Austin ordered the mural kit online and asked Grandpa Sork, who had done a number of these in his day, to be his project mentor. Austin approached Sherwin Williams paint company about donating paint and paint supplies with good success. Everything was in place and ready to go, then Austin got sick. This was just one more thing he had to push through during that 10 months of misery. Have I said he is my hero?!
Carson began his project in April 2012 with the intent on completing it and having a joint eagle court with Tanner, but again things took a little longer than expected. His project took a lot more of everything than we thought it would. Thank goodness for a patient and knowledgeable mentor - to gently guide things along and allow Carson the learning opportunities he needed in time management, project planning, communication and follow through. Carson did a fabulous job. He wanted to build cello racks for his school's orchestra. Their instruments and storage was ruined in a fire a few years ago and they were still trying to replace all that was lost. Carson was able to get beautiful tiger wood donated from a local lumber yard and the finishing products he purchased with donated gift cards from Home Depot and Walmart. Over the summer he took the school's cello rack home to draw up plans and start working on it. The hard wood (boy, was it HARD) proved to be a problem and the specialized tools he needed for specific cuts and joining were difficult to find. Finally in September Carson went to the school's shop teacher and asked for help in the school shop to complete his project. We are so thankful for Mr. Spicer and the school shop! The racks (Carson had enough wood to do two so his doubled his project) turned out beautiful. I am so impressed that Carson was able to look at a finished project and with some measurements and drawings make his own plans to construct something as professional looking as this. This was no beginning wood construction project. Carson did a wonderful job!
The boys had their board of review on the same evening and their official Eagle rank packet came in the mail on the same day so we aren't sure who can officially say they got their Eagle first. I am just glad they got them.
We had a joint Eagle Court of Honor.
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| Austin's High School Men's Quartet sang The Star Spangled Banner |
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Dad opened by speaking about the Grandpa's who were Eagle Scouts
and the great men these boys were following in this rank. |
The orchestra teacher, Mrs. Brosius, came and spoke on Carson's behalf. She presented him with a plaque and a great big thank you from the school. It was nice to have Mr. Spicer, the shop teacher in attendance too so we could present him with an Eagle mentor pin as well as Uncle Steve.
Principal Sork (Aunt Cathy) came and spoke on Austin's behalf and presented him with a big thank you from the whole school and Austin was able to present Grandpa Sork with his mentor pin.
In addition we had lots of family and friends attend to honor these boys for their hard work. It was an emotional court because each boy had worked so hard and overcome so much to be there. I am so proud of them!
