Church project advances ninth grader toward Eagle Scout rank

One phase of Eagle Scout qualification is performing a service project to benefit an organization or the community.

Aaron Wennhold, ninth-grade honor student at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, chose to help his church, Carson Valley United Methodist Church. Aaron, a member of Troop 495 in Gardnerville, has come one step closer to achieving the highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America, the rank of Eagle Scout by completing his community service commitment to his church.

To the north side of the church there was a holding pond to gather run off from heavy rains and snow. Aaron's chosen project was to improve the retention pond for snow and rain run-off. He set to work organizing the project, finding volunteers, gathering the materials donated to complete the project and exhibiting the leadership to guide the project to completion.

"A special thank you goes to Bing Construction; Darlene, Tiffany and Gary Gray, for their contribution to help make Aaron's eagle project happen. They donated the necessary material to rock and landscape the retention pond to make it more serviceable," said Aaron's mother Connie Wennhold.

Along with the help and guidance of church project supervisor Arlen Neal and Rev. Pete Nelson, as well as volunteer help from Aaron's family, friends and the members of his scout troop, Aaron's community service project neared completion. The final finishing touches will come when the buffalo grass seeds geminate in the center to create an area to absorb the excess moisture from excessive weather run-off. Through Aaron's efforts, what was once a marsh pit has now become a well-manicured holding area for excess water.

Only 4 percent of Boy Scouts achieve the Eagle Scout rank, with more than one million who have attained the rank since 1911. In order to earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills, at the same time maintaining a high grade point average at school.