Posted: Mon, 8 Feb 2010 09:29 AM - 8,172 Readers

By: Ameera Butt

Six students' projects ear Eagle Scout rank

The following students have earned the Eagle Scout rank, which the highest level of recognition in the Boy Scouts:

John Brodnax, 18, son of John and Ann Brodnax of Lakeway, organized and supervised the extension of a trail and the creation of a rock dam to slow runoff at Travis County's Pace Bend Park. The project also included planting native grass and wildflower seed in open areas along the trail. He is a member of Troop 52, chartered by Emmaus Catholic Church in Lakeway, and is a senior at Lake Travis High School.

William Frolick, 18, son of Mary Kay Lauden and Bill Frolick of Leander, built pathways of decomposed granite at the Open My World Therapeutic Riding Center. The paths were created around part of the corral and from the parking lot to the visitors center, providing safer access for children and their families and to help prevent erosion in those areas. He is a member of Troop 202, chartered by Scouters for Future Leaders, and a senior at Leander High School.

Ben Geneser, 18, son of Vivien Geneser and the late John Geneser of Austin, constructed a 50-foot brick retaining wall with a trough for landscape plants to divert rainwater from the entrance to the Student Center at All Saints Episcopal Church. He is a member of Troop 5, chartered by First United Methodist Church, and a senior at Garza Independence High School.

Collin Hazlett, 18, son of Darren and Mary Anne Hazlett of Austin, planned and executed safety improvements to the parking lot at St. Catherine of Siena Catholic Church. The project included renovating 1,250 feet of fire lanes and placing reflective traffic markings. He and 33 volunteers spent a total of 422 hours on the project. He is a member of Troop 505, chartered by Oak Hill United Methodist Church, and a senior at Austin High School.

Jon Horrocks, 15, son of Steve and Julie Horrocks of Buda, built a wooden deck walkway with two staircases and two benches, providing a safer path from the parking lot to a lower trail at the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve near Bee Cave. He organized a group of volunteers to help with the project. He is a member of Troop 1913, chartered by the Buda Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He is a sophomore at Hays High School.

Garrett Davis Morrell, 17, son of Beverly and Mark Morrell of Smithville, painted restrooms, a teepee, wagon, picnic tables, rails on the perimeter and swing sets and replaced old swings at the Indian Lake community subdivision outside Smithville. He also created a sprinkler system that uses the backwash of the nearby pool to catalyze grass growth in the surrounding area of the pool and pavilion. The project was completed with the help of Troop 183 scouts and other community volunteers. He is a senior at Smithville High School and a member of Troop 183, chartered by First United Methodist Church in Smithville.

*  Story Contributed by: Ameera Butt