Eagle Scout’s project focused on beautifying chapel
?When David Mihalko of Lemont Furnace earned his Eagle Scout rank, he not only spread his wings in Scouting, but he also gave back to his community.
Mihalko, a junior at Laurel Highlands Senior High School, first began his Scouting journey in 2001.
鈥淢y dad told me it was a great way to meet new friends,鈥� said Milhalko on how he became interested in Scouting.
In 2006, when Mihalko蘑菇视频 troop was without a leader, his mother and father decided to step in and make Scouting a true family affair.
鈥淢y husband (Dave Mihalko) is the Scout leader, and I am the troop committee chairman,鈥� said Kathryn Mihalko, David Mihalko蘑菇视频 mother.
When David Mihalko was looking for an Eagle Scout project, he received inspiration while attending Mass with his family at St. John the Baptist Byzantine Catholic Church in Uniontown.
鈥淚 noticed when I went to my church that the paint was coming off (of the church蘑菇视频 neighboring chapel), and I thought it would be a great way to beautify the church, which is celebrating 100 years,鈥� said David Milhalko.
The chapel that David Mihalko set his sights on is used to celebrate Mass during the week and is only a few feet away from the church.
David Mihalko, with the help of his parents, worked on the planning stage of his project in the spring of 2009 through the summer of 2010. At the end of July, he started to raise money to help defray the cost of the project. By October, the project was complete, and the chapel had a fresh coat of exterior paint.
During the course of the project, he received support from his friends.
鈥淚 had some of the Scouts of the troop help me, their friends and some of the adults from the troop,鈥� he said.
It was during the course of the project that he not only learned about painting but about being a good leader as well.
鈥淚 learned the qualities of how to be a good leader,鈥� said David Milhalko. 鈥淚f you want to be a good leader, you need to know how to do it yourself and then teach what you know to other people.鈥�
Because of his effective leadership skills and community involvement, he was bestowed the Eagle Scout rank on April 17.
鈥淚t felt pretty amazing,鈥� he said of becoming an Eagle Scout.
His parents could not be happier.
鈥淲e were ecstatic!鈥� said Kathryn Milhalko.
Looking back at his journey to Eagle Scout distinction, David Milhalko has a few words of encouragement for not only obtaining the Eagle Scout rank, but for getting the most out of life.
鈥淵ou have to go through the hard work to get the good things in the end,鈥� he said.