Dining pavilion project lets Faith student soar as Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout Ian Shirley sits in front of the metal dining pavilion he built as part of his Eagle Scout project last month. The pavilion now serves as an outdoor getaway for Faith Academy students.
MARBLE FALLS — Ian Shirley had a very specific goal in mind when he decided to become an Eagle Scout.
“I want to become a Navy Seal,” said Shirley, a senior at Faith Academy. “I know there’s an automatic rank increase if you’re an Eagle Scout, and hopefully it will help with my application to the Naval Academy.”
Shirley completed his Eagle Scout project in October, donating a large dining pavilion to Faith. The pavilion covers a pair of wooden picnic tables that now serve as an outdoor eating area for Faith students.
Before earning the Eagle rank, Scouts must propose, manage and complete a community project. Shirley, who has attended Faith since third grade, chose a project that would benefit the private university-model school.
Shirley is a member of Boy Scout Troop 284.
“I got the idea for it after seeing it at the park in Marble Falls,” Shirley said. “I thought it would be good to have something like that here at the school.”
Shirley brought his proposal before Faith Administrator Mark Earwood, who was a bit incredulous at first, he said.
“I’ve known him for years, so I just walked into his office and said, ‘Coach, sign this,’” Shirley said, referring to Earwood’s many years as Faith’s athletic director. “He looked at it and said, ‘Are you sure you’ll be able to build this?’”
Once he had approval for the project, Shirley began gathering money and supplies.
“Everything was donated, the metal, the supplies, all of it,” he said. “In all, the project cost about $6,500.”
Shirley wrote the project plan and managed the material and labor contributions.
“I probably spent about 20 hours planning it, then I spent 102 hours actually working on the project.”
Shirley said friends helped him build the pavilion, which came in handy since he had little experience welding.
“I’ve never really welded anything, but I do have some building experience,” he said. “It all helped in the end.”
Shirley said the project came out better than he expected, adding he couldn’t have completed it without help from his friends.
“I want to thank Central Texas Metal Arts, Stephenson Roofing, Nailhead Spur Company and the members of Boy Scout Troop 284,” he said.
In the meantime, Shirley said he’s already promised to help his fellow Scouts with their Eagle projects when the time comes.
“We all help each other out,” he said.
chris@thepicayune.com
Photo by Chris Porter