THE SOCIETY NEWS All the latest information on The Monroeville Historical Society. k
THE SOCIETY NEWS All the latest information on The Monroeville Historical Society. k
Eagle Scout Creates Beautiful Space for MHS
Text and Photos by Marilyn Wempa
When visitors tour the Monroeville Historical Society’ s Heritage Day Festival on Oct. 8, they will discover a delightful new glen in which to enjoy this annual event. What was an untamed bush, decaying tree and area behind the McGinley House is now an open grass-covered space. Besides providing a valuable shaded area, it features a stonelined fire pit, woodshed and space for exhibit, and picnic tables for food and craft demonstrations.
This delightful section is the result of a Boy Scout from Penn Township making several important decisions. In the summer of 2015, Jason Berardo, 17, was deciding whether he should challenge himself to earn his Eagle Scout award— and if he did decide to devote his time, work and energy toward Scouting’ s highest award, he wondered what project would fulfill his goals.“ I wanted to test my leadership and I wanted a project to significantly benefit a community and preferably one related to history,” he explains.
While planning their 2015 community events, Monroeville Historical Society members discussed the need for additional space adjacent to the historical houses grounds to resolve the increased event attendance and expanded activities. When members learned of Berardo’ s search for an Eagle Scout project, it was a delightful melding of goals.
After Berardo surveyed the historical houses’ land and learned the goals MHS members proposed, he outlined his project plans for acceptance by his Scoutmaster Kevin Beamer and Scout officials. When these approvals were granted, he and fellow Scout Troop 205 members began the work of clearing the land; disposing of the trees, thorny bushes and rocks; planting grass; making a stone fire pit; and building tEagle Scout Jason Berardo removing roots with a pickaxe, with the help of fellow Scout Seth Cockley( left). MHS member Connie McClain observes. Bob Elms and Mary Lou Span also helped guide Berardo with his project.
These felled trees, branches and brush reflect only a small amount of the total cleared by Berardo to provide increased space on the McGinley House grounds. Several truckloads were needed to cart off the debris.
a woodshed beside the beehive oven. It required 130 hours of work by 24 Scouts, family and friends to complete the project, entitled McGinley Yard Expansion and Woodshed Building, by Nov. 6.
Besides working on his Eagle project, Berardo attended Penn-Trafford High School to complete his senior studies, worked part-time at Arby’ s and McNally’ s Restaurant and was accepted by his firstchoice college.“ I look forward to attending Ashland University in Ohio where I plan to study political science and participate in its rigorous Scholars Program,” he says.
There were many congratulations at Berardo’ s Court of Honor, held at Newlonsburg Presbyterian Church on Apr. 2. Scoutmaster Kevin Beamer was one of those lauding his achievement.“ Jason is a very driven individual who sets high goals for himself and pushes himself very hard. The interesting thing about him is his drive often infects those around him so that they can accomplish things they wouldn’ t have
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normally. He has been a great asset to the troop, and I see many successes in his future.” MHS Event Chair Mary Lou Span was Berardo’ s Project Beneficiary Representative and was his primary contact and advisor responsible for approving his work. Berardo also received support from member Connie McClain and president Bob Elms. They all agree Berardo’ s work resulted in a wonderful addition to their event space and believe that anyone who says teens aren’ t ambitious and hardworking hasn’ t met Berardo.
Now 18, Berardo says,“ This project tested my leadership, and I learned that working hard and long enough to reach my goals is rewarding. Scouting is not like school. It doesn’ t define your ability by your age. Instead, you control what you take out of Scouting. It believes in you to decide for yourself what you want to gain from the program.”
Monroeville | Fall 2016 | icmags. com 47