Eagle Scout gives back to his school

When Hayden Smee started thinking about what to do for his Eagle Scout project, his mind and heart went back to his elementary school.

"I went to Alma Schrader Elementary School, and I think it's the best elementary school in the district," he said. "But I remember from being a student there, that there were these ugly wooden posts..."

The posts were used to control traffic at pickup and drop-off times at the school.

"Some of the posts had rotted, and sometimes they were replaced; sometimes they weren't," Smee said. "I just didn't think they reflected the quality of the school."

He came up with the idea to replace the old wooden posts with brick pillars.

Pillars installed by Hayden Smee as part of his Eagle Scott project rest outside Alma Schrader Elementary Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2015 in Cape Girardeau. (Glenn Landberg)

"I started by calling the supplier of the brick that was used for the school addition to see if they still carried that same color," he said. "I was doubtful that they did, but as it turns out, we were able to match the brick perfectly."

He measured the area multiple times to determine how many brick pillars could fit in the designated space.

"I came up with 16 pillars as the total we would need," he says.

Smee got to work, with the help of family, friends and members of his Boy Scout troop.

"We dug the footings and mixed and poured the concrete for all 16 posts all in the same day," he said.

Once the brick arrived, he relied on the help of professional masons to lay the brick for the posts.

"I was able to get a team of five professional masons and we worked from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. one day and made all 16 posts," Smee said.

The last step was getting chain to connect the brick pillars.

"I called and ordered plastic chain," Smee said. "I wanted something that looked good and wouldn't wear out, but also something that could be removed for mowing."

Smee's project took 13 months, from the day it was approved until the day it was finished, and it took a total of 155 hours. His in-kind donations and donated labor resulted in a project that would have cost more than $7,000 had the school district had to pay for it.

Many in the Cape Girardeau Public School District are thrilled with Smee's project, including Dr. Neil Glass, assistant superintendent, and Dr. Ruth Ann Orr, school principal at Alma Schrader.

"As a former Boy Scout, I can appreciate the hard work and commitment an Eagle Scout project demands," Glass said. "This is certainly a project worthy of recognition. Hayden has enhanced the appearance of Alma Schrader Elementary School for the benefit of the district and community. I am proud of him, and his desire to give back to his school."

Orr shares Glass' enthusiasm for the project.

"It has certainly helped the school, both from the aesthetics point of view as well as a safety feature, as we are able to channel people walking from the parking lot to our crosswalks," she said. "Therefore, the safety feature is immeasurable. We are so honored Hayden chose us as the venue to complete his project. It is a beautiful feature to the school, as well as being a functional addition."

Smee said he has many to thank for helping him complete the Eagle Scout project: "I want to thank my family, all the members of Boy Scout Troop No. 2 and their families, and my scoutmaster, Charlie Herbst. I also want to thank Tom Fornkohl, who helped me design the plans. He did a lot of surveying and acted as the architectural designer."

Many businesses contributed donations for the project, including Ameri-Spec Home Inspection Services, Rev. Tom Sullenger of Grace United Methodist Church, the Noon Lions Club, the Noon and Evening Optimist Clubs, Alma Schrader PTO, Kasten Masonry, Drivestone Masonry and First Missouri State Bank, according to Smee.

Like Glass and Orr, Smee said the project enhances Alma Schrader in many ways.

"I think that besides making it look a lot better, it helps to better mark the driveway, as before, it was easy to miss," he said. "It definitely helps with safety issues at drop off-and pickup times."

Smee received the designation of Eagle Scout in September, and a dedication ceremony will be held at a later date to commemorate his project.

"The plaque for the project just arrived," he said.

Scouting runs strong in Smee's family, as his dad, Tony, is also an Eagle Scout and worked for the Boy Scouts of America 23 years ago.

Smee joined Cub Scouts in 2007 and Boy Scouts in 2012. He believes Boy Scouts gives him many opportunities for growth in leadership roles.

"There are so many different opportunities [in Boy Scouts] that I would probably never get to do, like zip lining and shooting, but what I really like are all of the leadership opportunities," he said.

Smee has used the skills and knowledge gained in Boy Scouts in other areas of his life as well. He is vice president of the freshman class at Cape Central High School; a member of the concert band, jazz band and wind symphony at CHS; and a member of FBLA. He is a member of the youth group at Grace United Methodist Church and has served on the staff of the Greater St. Louis Area Council's National Youth Leadership Training Course. He was just elected Shawnee Chapter Chief of the Order of the Arrow.

Smee, who is 14, considers his Eagle Scout project a gift to the school he feels gave him such a great start.

"I'm proud of the project because, unlike many cookie cutter Eagle Scout projects, this one is permanent and serves a purpose," he said. "I did it as a thank you to the school. I feel like I got a great head start in life, partly because of the dedicated faculty at Alma Schrader. They really helped form me as a person."