Boy Scout Miles Garcia worked on his Eagle Scout project this spring. Planning, funding and executing the project meant Miles had to use everything he’d learned in Boy Scouts and then some. Miles attended Parkview Elementary School in Del City until his family moved overseas. Upon their return, Miles decided to help the school as his Eagle project.

“This is my community and they’ve helped me,” he said. “So now I’m going to give back to them.” In talking with the Principal, he found that while the school liked the idea of landscaping, there was no money in the budget to build or maintain it. In January, Miles began designing and planning the project. Over the next four months, Miles planned, raised money and executed his project—dedicating it on Earth Day in a ceremony attended by students, school administrators and his former teachers.

To complete the project, Miles employed the traits of resourcefulness—by using volunteers and getting materials donated or at a reduced price, he was able to build a $3,800 raised bed for $1,049. Miles was also persuasive in getting a variety of people to help with the project. More than 40 volunteers from the school’s PTA, the Parkview Neighborhood Association, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and the Del City baseball team all helped build the flowerbed. Miles is pleased he was able to give back to the community that has given him so much. Miles will be a senior at Del City High School. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 87 and is the son of Chris Kern-Garcia and Alex Garcia.

Caitlyn Crosby maintains an attitude of joyfulness in her daily life. She is always quick to assist members and visitors of her church with their needs. Caitlyn also displays the trait of honor by being polite and respectful of her elders and always saying, “yes, ma’am” or “yes, sir.”
 
In April of 2006, Caitlyn was diagnosed with Juvenile Diabetes. “The day she was diagnosed, she said that she will do whatever it takes to help find a cure,” her mother, Jennifer said. Caitlyn also demonstrates faith in God, believing that God will take care of her, either through a scientific cure or by healing her. Since her diagnosis, Caitlyn and her family have participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Walk. Their team is called Caitlyn’s Walk of Faith. “We feel that she has truly been on a walk of faith since her diagnosis,” Jennifer said. Her commitment and determination has been inspirational for the fundraising effort. Their first year, the Crosby family had 10 walkers and raised about $200. The following year, they had 54 walkers and raised $1200. This year, their team included 82 walkers and as of press time, they had raised $2000.

Caitlyn will be a sixth grader at Christian Heritage Academy in Del City. She is the daughter of Jason and Jennifer Crosby of Oklahoma City.