It takes an exceptional teenager to become an Eagle Scout – according to Boy Scouts of America, only about 5% of all Boy Scouts move up to this ultimate achievement. Wilmington Montessori School alumnus, Adam Brown, age 15, is one of those rare young men.
In addition to earning 21 merit badges each with demanding tasks (10 to 20 requirements for each badge!), an Eagle Scout applicant must design and complete a service project for the community. The beneficiary of the service project is decided on by the Scout, and is usually an organization that has meaning to the Scout. In Adam’s case, he has chosen WMS as the recipient. His vision? A classroom in the woods where teachers can bring their students to explore the woods, learn about local plants, and rest on benches that line the short, inviting trail. In the Spring of 2008, Adam and many volunteers will join together to create his vision in the woods.
Adam attended WMS from age 2 through 3rd grade. He remembers some things clearly (like the Pink Tower and his joy in using it as often as he could), while other things are more vague (like the names of his classroom pets). What he does know is that his 7 years at WMS greatly impacted his future as a student, even at this young age. Adam knows that his love of learning was cultivated in the kid-friendly Montessori classrooms that he called home. He remembers how inviting and tactile the activities were, and attributes his appreciation for education to the messages he learned early on. He describes himself as an organized student whose curiosity was sparked by his Montessori education. And for that he is grateful.
His choice of WMS for this signature project was something he considered for many years. He knew 2 things for certain. First, as a Cub Scout, he knew early on that he wanted to achieve the Eagle Scout badge, and secondly, he wanted to find a way to give back to a school that gave him a secure start to his education.
WMS and his original Cub Scout Pack 1313, sponsored by WMS, are equally appreciative of Adam’s gift. To support his endeavor, WMS has generously allowed Adam to utilize some of the grant money received from the Welfare Foundation, money that has been earmarked for improvement of the woods around the school. Adam’s project dovetails nicely with WMS’s goal to better use the woods around the school for education. Pack 1313 has generously given Adam a check for $500 to help purchase native plantings and scouts will help with the installation. As part of his Eagle requirements, Adam has to manage a group of volunteers . In addition to supervising scouts, he will work with WMS parents on May 3 during a special Co-op Woods Day. This has become a real community project.
Adam now attends Cab Calloway School for the Arts in Wilmington, majoring in Visual Communications. While a few years away from graduation, he aspires to major in Math as an undergraduate (it all started with the pink tower!) and hopes to continue on for graduate degrees in either Physics or Economics. With the determination and capability of an Eagle Scout, we know he’ll succeed in whatever he attempts. Congratulations Adam!
Photo: Adam and Linda Zankowsky, Head of School, accept a check for $500 from Cub Scout Pack 1313 in support of Adam’s Eagle project.
