Whitefield Academy junior Stephen Bracher of Mableton and sophomore Jacob Fikse of Smyrna recently completed their Eagle Scout projects by improving the Lower School Outdoor Garden and Classroom at the school. Bracher designed and constructed a large wooden platform which will serve as a stage for educational lectures; Jacob enhanced the area by installing steps to access the stage, along with two-tier planter boxes behind the area. He also installed a cedar communications board for announcements and built additional benches for student seating. Both students were assisted by over 15 other Whitefield Boy Scouts.

“Stephen and Jacob’s projects have helped make the outdoor garden and classroom space become a more permanent and useful space for learning,” said Mr. Brian Coski, Lower School music director, who assisted with the technical design of the projects, along with Dr. John Lindsell, headmaster. “We are excited about enjoying these enhancements.”

The Whitefield Scouts were heavily involved in the original construction of the garden which serves as an outside science lab to teach Lower School students about plant classification, plant growth, composting, photosynthesis, and many other biological processes. Alumnus Eagle Scout Matt Segars (Class of 2012) built the garden fence and compost bin. Through the years, Eagle Scouts have completed many other improvement projects on campus including: building waste bins, assembling a storage unit for the marching band, building benches for the baseball dugout, constructing picnic tables in fan areas, landscaping property near the baseball field and stadium, and building a tennis storage shed next to the courts.

“A typical Eagle Scout project takes approximately 100 hours to plan, coordinate, and complete,” said Ray Segars, Whitefield parent and Eagle Scout coach with Whitefield’s Troop 554. “Many scouts are already committed to other academic, athletic, community, and faith-based activities. Completing an Eagle Scout project is a testament to a boy’s character and his ability to set priorities.”

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