VERO BEACH — Morgan Beckham is 15-years-old now, but the idea for his Eagle Scout project was sparked years ago while walking the halls of Beachland Elementary School.
Beckham said he has fond memories of his elementary school career spent entirely at Beachland where is mother Theresa Beckham still works as a fourth grade teacher. But ever since his early years at the school, Morgan Beckham said he has always noticed areas on campus that could use a little sprucing up.
Now in pursuit of his Eagle Scout rank, the highest advancement rank in Scouting according to the Boy Scouts of America, he seized an opportunity to give back to the elementary school.
“I wanted to improve Beachland Elementary School for the better. I’ve seen it progress and regress, and I wanted to see it progress again,” Beckham said.
Beckham pitched his project idea to repaint 15,000 feet of hallway lines and beautify an area around the school’s flag pole to Beachland’s principal Caroline Barker.
Theresa Beckham said the principal was grateful that Morgan was re-investing his time back into the school and was very supportive of the project. But due to the nature of wet paint striped along the outdoor hallway floors, Morgan and his crew of volunteers would have to work in the heat of summer when school was not in session.
On Saturday, Juy 19, Morgan was leading a team of approximately two dozen people in sweeping debris from the hallways, painting lines, and planting flowers in the lawn. The weekend prior was spent power-washing the sidewalks in preparation.
“It is all well worth it,” Morgan said. Altogether, the project that wrapped up on Saturday began almost a year and a half ago with raising donations for the necessary materials and devising a plan of action.
“I wanted to become an Eagle Scout because it shows dedication, hard work, and demonstrates leadership,” Morgan said. “This project shows just that.”
Because of Morgan’s dedication, students and staff will return to school in the fall with freshly painted blue and pink lines that allow teachers to keep order in the halls during transition periods, and a beautiful new flower garden in the school’s lawn.
“He could have chosen anything he wanted for a project,” Theresa Beckham said. “The only requirements were that it be not-for-profit, and it would benefit the community.” But she said she was very proud he chose something she will be able to enjoy come next semester.
After the completion of his Eagle Scout project, Morgan Beckham said he will continue to assist his fellow Scouts in their projects of choice, something he has been doing for years all in the spirit of Scouting and the positive values it stands for.
