Eagle Scout project beautifies Winston Campus courtyard

Life Scout James Niggemann 17, of Boy Scout Troop 91 in Palatine is working on his Eagle Scout leadership service project to benefit Winston Campus Junior High School.

Niggemann's service project will result in the beautification of the courtyard at the school to enable better utilization for outdoor education. His project involves clearing out overgrown brush, planting several starter evergreen scrubs, planting hundreds of daffodils and tulips bulbs, constructing a raised planting bed for the school to use, and constructing six movable benches for classes in the courtyard.

Ralph Banasiak, 8th grade math teacher at the school and the project's beneficiary representative sought out Niggemann for this project after a chance meeting at an open house last spring. Niggemann has been working with Banasiak for several months over the summer and early fall developing the project.

Niggemann coordinated the activity of the many volunteers who came out to help this past Saturday, October 20, 2012. "James' project has simply transformed the courtyard here," noted Banasiak. "It was incredible to see how he had pulled together every volunteer. The donation of materials from Lowes will make our courtyard more inviting for students to write and journal and just enjoy the beauty of the outdoors."

Volunteers include his family, scouts and adults from Boy Scout Troop 91, scouts from Girl Scout Troop 2264, students, parents, alumni, and teachers from the school.

The project is ongoing and will culminate in the construction of the benches to be made out of durable red cedar. The benches will be completed and delivered to the school before Thanksgiving.

Boy Scout Troop 91 meets Wednesday evenings at St Theresa Parish and is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus, Council #4977.