“Be Prepared And Do A Good Turn Daily”
My mother and father taught me all my life we were born to serve and when serving you become a leader.
I believe that has a lot to do with our faith so when I saw a need, I stood to make a difference in the lives of 250 students at my school.
It started when our country was going through the pandemic, I was attending a Christian private school and students were stuck in a class all day while the teachers rotated classes teaching their subjects, we studied in class and even ate lunch in class.
We were Restless, Tired and Scared of what we were listening on the news.
Twice a week they had outdoor learning, I guess to help with the mundane routine because they could see all the students were either stressed or confused of what was happening because of the Covid virus.
I noticed a class of first graders, and I saw how excited they were to be studying outside, laughing and playing.
It felt like their anxiety and pressure just disappeared and left their minds.
I also noticed, none of us had any protection or shelter from any outside elements and at that moment I made the decision to do something about it, I went home and told my parents I want to build a place all the students can study with out having to worry about the hot sun, wind or morning drizzles.
As a scout, I was already thinking about my Eagle Scout project and just like that with an idea, I started my Eagle Scout journey.
This project was the most challenging task I ever had to do in my life, but I grew so much from it. The planning, the work to raise funds, everyday was a task I had to complete including making calls to businesses, visiting mangers or owners of stores asking for donations.
Lumber, concrete, bricks and paint, pavers to pave, painters to paint and construction workers to build. I had trucks delivering our supplies and tractors to remove dirt. So many pieces to move in place including recruiting volunteers to help.
It was draining, I remember some nights I would cry because I thought to myself that I took on too big of a task but then a business owner would say Yes, We Would Help You and that was that extra momentum I needed.
It was the small things that mattered, the elementary students praising me and excited to have a place outside. I had lots of people counting on me, most important I could not give up.
I learned lots from this experience, Planning, Project Management, Delegating, Follow Up, Adapting, Negotiating, Presentation and Selling skills and more, but most important lesson is Hard Work Creates Positive Results.
Below is in detail what I had to do.
Eagle Scout Service project -Educational Pavilion
- Interviewed the School principal at my school to assess the main need of the school. Agreed a covered outdoor place will be ideal.
- The aim was to provide an outdoor space where students could take classes and gather.
- I completed the project workbook and submitted it for BSA approval.
- Studied the construction plans for a 10 X 20 pavilion. Made a list of the materials needed and researched materials cost.
- Set up a budget and started Fundraising.
- I set up a Fund Me page. I visited companies in person, gave presentations to board members, made phone calls, worked the school carpool line, explained the project, discussed my budget, and asked for help.
- Once I had the all the funds needed, I ordered materials and requested delivery.
- The next step was to gather volunteers to come and help me during the construction phase.
- Kept track of money and expenses
- Promoted the Construction Phase of the project, created flyers, posted on social media and School website.
- Took me a year in planning, three weekends of construction, led over 70 volunteers,1,000+ hours.
- I reached my goal, raised $20,000, and built an educational pavilion for 250 students at my school.
- Presented the final project results to the Boy Scouts of America Board of Review and earned my Eagle Scout Rank Award.
I became one of the first and youngest females in the world to earn Eagle Scout at 14 years old including the first Latina in North Carolina.
I mentored over 40 young girls in scouts as a Senior Patrol Leader in safety, life and survival skills including leadership and being focused in community service.
I would like to create volunteer programs in my schools to mentor at-risk kids utilizing their studies to ensure every child has the opportunity to reach their potential.
As my father says, “Small Hinges Swing Big Doors”.
I want to swing lots of them.
Zoe Valdez
