Keegan Mejias, a member of BSA Troop 55, designed and installed a sprinkler system at St. Gregory the Great Parish Community Garden, Hamilton Square, as his project to obtain the rank of Eagle Scout.
Keegan Mejias
Keegan, a resident of Chesterfield and troop librarian, is currently awaiting his Board of Review to earn the rank, the highest in Boy Scouts. Prerequisites to his project included being a Life Scout, serving in the troop for at least six months; taking on leadership roles within the troop; and completing at least 21 merit badges, some of which are specifically required.
“My favorite part of the project was learning how plumbing works and applying that knowledge to the building part,” Keegan said. “The project also involved a lot of trial and error when I was trying to find the best way to set up the sprinkler heads.”
When deciding on his project, Keegan spoke with many parishioners about potential projects. Megan Dinh, head of St. Gregory the Great Parish Community Garden Ministry, suggested the need for a sprinkler system.
Keegan then started the process of planning and approvals from February to May 2024, followed by the project execution from June to August. He coordinated his schedule with troop volunteers and others to perform the on-site work that took about 10 days to complete. He also worked with Gary Delhagen, a plumber from the parish.
He said his parents taught him the importance of service and giving back, especially through the teachings of the Corporal Works of Mercy. He related his Eagle Scout project to feeding the hungry, since the sprinkler system nurtures various fruits and vegetables that grow in the garden. This fresh produce is then harvested and delivered to local food banks to feed the needy.