Scout earns Eagle Award

Kellan Burkley is working to become an Eagle Scout.

A Life Scout with Scouting America, Burkley’s project has been to refresh the exterior of the Iola Village Hall.

“One major reason why I chose this project was because it seemed like it had been a while since the Iola area had seen what benefits a Scout troop can bring to the community,” Burkley said.

Burkley said he has been in scouting since he was 7 years old, starting in Cub Scouts.

The service project needed to take into account whether the beneficiary of the project is either a non-profit or religious organization, Burkley said.

“The project itself is a way for Scouts to demonstrate leadership and the ability to plan and develop a project,” he said.

He said he started looking into the project last fall, researching plants, mulch and landscaping techniques that could benefit the village hall’s need for updating.

When looking for approval for this service project, Burkley said, he needed to either make a presentation to the unit and district committees or send in a proposal with a list of tools and materials needed, as well as a budget.

The Iola Village Board approved a $2,000 budget on June 11.
On June 15, work began with a total of 11 people who included scouts, parents and scout leaders, Burkley said.

“The first thing we did that day was level out the rocks along the edge of the building. We then put plastic border pieces between the dirt and the grass sections,” Burkley said. “We leveled out the rest of the area with new topsoil and covered it with some mulch. We put in the flowers and shrubs and sprinkled weed preventer over the work area.”

Jennifer Schustek, president of the Iola Village Board, was delighted with the work that was done by Burkley and his crew.

“Kellen did a great job in working with Colton from Chain O’Lakes Home and Garden,” Schustek said. “It turned out beautiful.”

Village Clerk and Treasuerer Laura Krogwold, agrees the renovation of the front of Village Hall turned out great.

“We are very happy with the work Kellen did for his Eagle Scout project,” Krogwold said. “It is nice to be able to work with other groups and organizations in our community because together we all make-up the Village of Iola, and our village really is a great place.”