Once choked with weeds, a courtyard at Jamie McGee Elementary School in Bolingbrook has been transformed into an outdoor sanctuary.
Bolingbrook High School freshman Trevor Mohrmann, who attended Jamie McGee, landscaped the courtyard for his Eagle Scout project. He originally noticed the dilapidated space while looking out a window from the school’s library.
“I like to read a lot and thought it could become a nice courtyard and great place to sit with a book,” said Trevor, 14. “I also thought fixing it up might make for a good Eagle Scout project while giving something back to my former school.”
He began planning in April and sought donations to pay for materials. The new courtyard includes stepping stones, larger stones that create various border areas, a decorative piece of driftwood and stones forming a circle near a sewer. The plant bed includes hostas and other species.
Trevor and his father, Ross, also built a wooden bench for the courtyard. The project took about three days to construct with help from other Boy Scouts.
“We are obviously very proud of him,” Ross Mohrmann said. “He worked really hard and it was very rewarding to watch and help him with his project.”
Trevor has been in scouting since first grade. He now belongs to the Rainbow Council Bolingbrook Boy Scouts Troop 35.
He said some of his favorite things about being a Boy Scout are going camping, earning merit badges and managing and updating the troop’s website, which has led him to consider a career in technology
Bolingbrook Mayor Roger Claar attended a ribbon-cutting event for the courtyard on Sept. 29.
“This is an exceptional young man,” Claar said in a statement. “I’m impressed with the way he handles himself at 14 years old. This project is something that’s here for an eternity.”
McGee Assistant Principal Leanne Lyons also was impressed with the project and with Trevor.
“He was a wonderful student while he was here,” she said in a statement. “He was always thoughtful and kind. And it’s obvious he still is.”
Joseph Ruzich is a freelance reporter for the baiduhai.
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