Student spruces up campus for Eagle Scout project

DOWNEY - Downey High School senior Joshua Mendez completed his Eagle Scout project last Saturday, recruiting a small army of volunteers to paint and restore the guardrails and stow at Downey High.

Joshua started the work Friday afternoon, pressure washing the stows attached to the gym. Later that night, he headed to South Gate Park where Boy Scout parents helped boil 20 pounds of potatoes, slice eight pounds of bell peppers and salsa, and prepare 75 pounds of chicken and 15 pounds of beef for a pasta.

Joshua slept five hours and returned to campus Saturday morning where he was met by more than 100 students who volunteered to help. By 1 p.m. the handrails were sanded and volunteers were applying primer.

After painting, the project officially wrapped at 7:30 p.m.

Joshua has earned 92 merit badges and two religious metals as a Boy Scout, and volunteers extensively at the Firestone Scout Reservation. He lost his scoutmaster to a heart attack while hiking at the reservation in June 2012.

********** Published: Oct. 17, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 27