Fagan’s Eagle Scout project benefits Marion homeschoolers

     Alex Fagan of Monticello turned 18 on Nov. 2. He can also add another important milestone to his resume, earning his Eagle Scout Award before his 18^th birthday.

     A member of Monticello Boy Scout Troop 66, Fagan completed his project on Oct. 20.

     Fagan admitted he really didn’t know what he wanted to do for his Eagle Scout project, noting it had to be something that benefitted a community or helped an organization.

     Fagan’s younger siblings are homeschooled through the Marion Home School Assistance Program (MHSAP). After speaking with the principal there, Tom Ertz, he gave Fagan a few ideas for his project: bookshelves, benches, a playground. That’s when Fagan decided to build a bike rack for those who ride their bikes to the facility.

     “They didn’t have a bike rack,” he said. “They just moved into a new building and nothing for their bikes.” Fagan said kids would chain their bikes to street posts. “They had nowhere secure to put them.”

     Fagan started fundraising for this project in early 2020, and hit a roadblock with COVID-19. He had the idea to host scooter parties for young kids at the Berndes Center, but they weren’t well attended even before the pandemic hit.

     Instead, thanks to his mom seeing an idea on Facebook, Fagan decided to offer a fun Easter holiday idea for families. He raised money by filling plastic Easter eggs and putting them in people’s yards. He also put together and sold themed Easter baskets for kids. He had people from Ryan, Cedar Rapids and Delmar contact him. Fagan ended up raising $650, more than enough for this project. The remainder was donated to the MHSAP.

     For the bike rack, Fagan used concrete bricks measuring 16-by-24 inches for the base. He leveled the ground, put down sand, and a mat to help drain standing water. He then attached a metal rack, 7 feet in length, to the base.

     Fagan and his family and fellow Scout volunteers completed his project in a matter of six hours in June. Fagan completed his paperwork and submitted everything to the Boy Scout council in October.

     “All of the hard work these past eight years finally paid off,” he said. “The skills I obtained, I now see the payout. It means so much to finish my project.”

     Fagan said he can add Eagle Scout to his resume and college scholarship applications.

     Fagan has been in Scouts since first grade, starting as a Cub. Some of his favorite activities have been summer camp (at Howard H. Cherry Scout Reservation in Central City” and National Leadership Training.

     “You meet so many new people and other Scouts at camp,” he recalled.

     Fagan also gained great leadership and life skills throughout his years in Scouts. He’s also earned 77 total merit badges, the most in his troop. Fagan said each badge represents the skills he’ll need in his everyday life. He’s also held such troop positions as patrol leader, web master, and scribe.

     Now that he’s 18, Fagan can decide whether he wants to continue with Scouts as an Assistant Scout Master.

     “I’ll probably stay involved,” he said.

     He is also a member of the OA (Order of the Arrow), which is described as the national honor society for Scouts. He can remain in OA until his 21^st birthday.

     With Scouts having until their 18^th birthday to turn in their Eagle Scout project paperwork, Fagan is relieved he made the cut in time.

     Fagan, the son of Eric and Devin Fagan, is a senior at Monticello High School. After graduating in May, he would like to attend Kirkwood and enroll in culinary arts, or travel a bit.

     Due to COVID-19, Fagan’s Court of Honor ceremony is on hold until early 2021.