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BHS benefits from Eagle Scout project

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany --  A Spangdahlem Boy Scout took on a project to not only earn his rank as an Eagle Scout, but to improve the Bitburg High School weight room for fellow students.

The journey to earning the title of Eagle Scout is not one that many who enter the scouting community complete. Deryk Smith, BHS junior, began Scouting at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, when he was six years old. He began his quest toward the rank of Eagle Scout in February 2002.

"I had to earn 21 merit badges, which vary from first aid to personal management," he said. "I had to stay active with Boy Scouts and hold a position of leadership for at least six months while holding my present rank as a Life Scout. I also had to plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project and to any religious institution, school or my local community. The project must be approved by the organization benefiting from the actions, the scoutmaster, the troop committee and the council or district before it began."

The service project that Deryk chose was to renovate his school's weight room. This project included painting the walls, re-upholstering the weight benches and re-framing the pictures on the walls.

"I chose this project because I'm not athletic and felt this would be the best way to show support for my school's athletes," Deryk said.

Due to the amount of work involved in this project, Deryk sought the help and support of others in the community to make his vision a reality. Fellow Scouts, troop leadership, members of 52nd Operations Support Squadron, his family and friends stepped up to the challenge.

"The most challenging part of this project was coordinating with the different agencies to bring this project to completion," he said.

Deryk reached out to a wide variety of agencies to see his idea implemented. He obtained the painting supplies from the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron Self Help section, with the assistance of Tech. Sgt. Daniel Wolfrum and Tech. Sgt. Dawn Moore. The 52nd Operation Support Squadron donated materials for the re-upholstering the weight benches. In addition, the Spangdahlem Spouses' and Enlisted Members Club contributed funds for the project.

Deryk recognizes that others were a key part to making the project a success, because he knows he could not have done this alone.

"I would like to thank my parents, Dawn and Master Sgt. Sean Smith (52nd Security Forces Squadron), Kimberly Smith, my scoutmaster, Mr. Hairstone, my committee chair, Mr. Schaefer, Senior Master Sgt. Rick Johnson, Mr. Hackl, the SSEMC, the 52nd CES, 52nd OSS, Andrew Morman, Brie Wilson and Jesse Johnson who all came out to assist," Deryk said. "I hope that the community will see what local Scouting Troops 161, 165 and 460 are accomplishing in the community."

Now that the weight room renovation efforts are completed, Deryk will have a scoutmaster conference and must complete an Eagle Scout Board of Review, which is held by community leaders, after he submits a detailed application along with character references before earned the right to be called an Eagle Scout.