Reflection Circle

One of the requirements to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout is the Eagle Scout project.

My project was a reflection area in the back left corner of Hall Cemetery in West Quincy.

The largest portion of the project was planning. At the time Covid-19 was in full swing. As a result, I had to work around unexpected shipping and price changes. To properly build the reflection area, I sketched out the foundation layers, learned about landscaping and working with pavers, and talked to the mentors in my life working in relevant careers.

A key part of the project was fundraising. Through word of mouth, Facebook, local business sponsors, and the Quincy Sun (a local newspaper) the community raised over $3500, exceeding the original goal of $2000. All excess donations went straight to supporting Troop 42.

Throughout the month of June 2021 over 20 scouts and I constructed the reflection area. Before work could start, a massive boulder had to be removed from the project site. I coordinated with the city’s cemetery department to remove the boulder, dig out a majority of the hole for foundation, and supply us with sand for the foundation. On day 1 we laid the foundation, assembled the paver circle, installed the peace pole (including four languages: English, Italian, Spanish, Mandarin) and bench, and planted the bushes for the reflection area. The following weekend a white rock path was put in connecting the paver circle to the road. Finally, a dedication plaque was installed and topsoil and grass seed were used to beautify the area. Ultimately, the project totalled to over 200 hours of work.

The point of the Eagle Scout project is to, in short, demonstrate and improve upon a candidate’s leadership skills such as planning, project management, and delegation. While at the same time, providing a service to the community. Planning this project was a process over a year long starting back in March of 2020. Through this process, I have learned how to write up an effective plan, to see challenges as less world-breaking, and the importance of communication. In the execution of the project, I learned the significance of delegation, since there was no way I would be able to finish the project in a timely manner on my own. I accomplished this with the support of my project Coach Ray Theberge, my parents, my scoutmaster Kevin Gillespie, and Troop 42.