Catholic Central Senior David Creen's Eagle Scout project was a true testament to his commitment to the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). An Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program. To qualify, David worked tirelessly for weeks through the pandemic, gathering supplies and organizing volunteers, in order to create a beautiful patio of pavers surrounding the flagpole at his former school, Spiritus Sanctus Academy in Ann Arbor. Through hard work and dedication, David successfully completed his Eagle Scout project in 2020, but says ​​it was a long time coming to be able to fully complete his vision. 

“My Eagle Scout project began long before the first shovel ever touched the ground,” said David. “I had previously been organizing a program with the Cub Scouts in my school to raise and lower the school’s flag each day. The school principal wanted a platform created at the flagpole (which was at the time in a grassy area) so we could continue the flag raising safely during the winter and in bad weather. I knew this would be the perfect project for me because it was a continuation of the program I had already helped start.”

David, with the help of his father Dave Creen, carefully designed an 11’x11’x12’ triangular patio of pavers around the flagpole at Spiritus Sanctus Academy. His project provided a safe, sturdy platform from which the scouts could raise and lower the flag without injuring themselves. It also created a dignified and respectful place where the scouts tend to the flag. In addition, his project aligned with the principal’s goal which was to teach and increase patriotism within the school. 

With the help of 14 scouts and four adults, which David recruited as volunteers, the team worked diligently to dig foundations and lay down tile pavers. David’s Eagle Project took over 190 hours within 15 months and cost $994, for which he was able to raise funds through bottle drives and in-kind donations from building materials and food companies. 

Mr. Creen says that his son earning an Eagle Scout rank early on helped to prepare him for his high school career at Catholic Central and beyond. 

“I saw him learn to problem solve and persevere so that he could achieve his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout,” said Mr. Creen. “He has carried these life skills that he learned at an early age with him at Catholic Central. His journey to Eagle helped him develop the discipline, commitment, and leadership that he will be able to carry forward with him throughout his life. On his journey to eagle, he learned critical skills like knowledge of teamwork and communication tactics. In addition, the project he conducted was a way for him to give back to the community that he lived in. It taught him lessons about identifying problems and coming up with solutions.”

David says his Scout project was a natural fit for the Basilian Fathers' holistic ideals as he worked to improve his local community. From this experience, David says he grew in understanding his duty to God, his country, other people, and duty to himself. “Each of these principles complement each other and have made me a better Shamrock and scout,” said David.

The most valuable lesson David learned through his Eagle project is in order to be a good leader, one must be flexible and problem solve, while still encouraging others to follow in your footsteps.

“Scouting has been a journey that pushed his endurance, resourcefulness, and leadership skills to its limits. On his journey to Eagle, he learned critical skills like knowledge of teamwork and communication tactics,” said Mr. Creen.

Upon graduating, David plans to pursue a degree in engineering at MIT, Purdue, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology or the University of Michigan.