Pictured (left to right): Photo provided
Blake Marggraff, Shikhar Das, Andrew Gerst, Kyle Van de Bittner
Boy Scout Troop 234 of Moraga honored four new Eagle Scouts at the Court of Honor on May 3 at Moraga Valley Presbyterian Church.
Shikhar Das, Andrew Gerst, Blake Marggraff, and Kyle Van de Bittner achieved Scouting's highest award after completing service projects, assisted by fellow Scouts and friends, for the benefit of the community. Together the projects these Eagle Scouts led required a total of 550 service hours.
Shikhar Das built a stone path and cement pillars for the marquee notice board at Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School. The project involved digging out a dirt path to JM's marquee deep enough to insert stones to create the path, and then pouring cement between the stones. The dirt plateau surrounding the marquee was dug out and flattened, and then cement poured around the pillars.
Andrew Gerst designed and built two redwood planter boxes at Los Perales Elementary School in Moraga. Protective fencing and drip irrigation were included in the project. To complete the project, the site had to be leveled, and drip irrigation was laid out so that maintenance staff can easily connect it to the school's watering system. The planter boxes will be used by Second Grade classes as part of the Life Sciences curriculum at LP.
Blake Marggraff led an effort to distribute free water saving devices to Moraga residents, resulting in a potential savings of 20,000 gallons of water this year. With fellow Scouts, he distributed water saving information to over 300 residences, and collected completed "request forms" for water saving devices from dozens of these residents. Working with Sustainable Moraga and EBMUD, Blake sent devices such as shower heads and kitchen and bathroom faucets to fulfill these requests.
Kyle Van de Bittner removed dying plants at the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church and planted new ones, with the help of fellow Scouts and friends. Previously, the courtyard was visible from the bike path, so Kyle's efforts provide more privacy for the ceremonies held at the church. Kyle led his volunteers in removing dead plants around the church and planting new ones to enliven the grounds. He recommended to the church that they reduce sprinkler usage to conserve water.
Shikhar Das, Andrew Gerst, Blake Marggraff, and Kyle Van de Bittner achieved Scouting's highest award after completing service projects, assisted by fellow Scouts and friends, for the benefit of the community. Together the projects these Eagle Scouts led required a total of 550 service hours.
Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA