Scout hopes new garden sprinkler system helps parish feed the hungry

March 15, 2025 at 12:00 a.m.
Keegan Mejias works on his Scouting project on the campus of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square. Courtesy photo
Keegan Mejias works on his Scouting project on the campus of St. Gregory the Great Parish, Hamilton Square. Courtesy photo

By Kayla Latendresse, Correspondent

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.




Related Stories

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.



Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092

e-Edition


e-edition

Sign up


for our email newsletters

Weekly Top Stories

Sign up to get our top stories delivered to your inbox every Sunday

Daily Updates & Breaking News Alerts

Sign up to get our daily updates and breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox daily

Latest Stories


Scout hopes new garden sprinkler system helps parish feed the hungry
Keegan Mejias, a member of BSA Troop 55...

Poets who are Catholic explain faith's influence on their craft
A poet's worldview and beliefs influence everything he or she writes.

SJV and CBA combine for three champs, 10 other place-winners in state wrestling
Wrestlers from Christian Brothers Academy, Lincroft, and St. John Vianney, Holmdel...

Cong. Chris Smith pushes feds to place Nigeria on religious freedom watch list
New Jersey Congressman Chris Smith urged the Trump administration...

Mexican bishops decry 'cruelest' expression of violence as cartel extermination camp discovered
The Mexican bishops' conference expressed outrage over the discovery...


The Evangelist, 40 North Main Ave., Albany, NY, 12203-1422 | PHONE: 518-453-6688| FAX: 518-453-8448
© 2025 Trenton Monitor, All Rights Reserved.