One Eagle scout is out to prove that one person can make a difference when addressing the community's problems. Eli Lopez, a member of Troop 145, tackled food insecurity and mental health. 

Eagle Scout for Community

According to a report with Orange Observer, Lopez is part of the troops of Oakland Presbyterian Church. He spent his weekend at Lakeview Middle School with around 30 of his fellow scouts and community partners. 

The group created a butterfly garden on the school's grounds. They also planted a vegetable and herb garden, as well as a counseling space for its students. 

The said project took a year to be completed. He partnered with Scouts BSA, the Bloom & Grow Garden Society, and the S.A.F.E. coordinator and mental health counselor of the school. 

Coming Together as One Community

Jackie Ihnenfeld, the school's assistant principal, expressed his gratitude for the project. He told the news outlet that the educational garden was one of the best things that happened to the school. 

He admitted that it was overwhelming to see how much the community had been with them every step of the way. Ihnenfeld was glad to see how everyone came together to make the garden a reality. 

The said project makes use of some vacant spaces between the school's media center and the 500 Building. 

Volunteers rolled up their sleeves and cleared the weeds that were already overgrown. They also planted milkweed donated through a grant from the University of Kansas. 

The group also pressure-washed a brick memorial walk. 

Giving Back

Lopez pointed out that he felt that this was a good way to give back to the community. He told the news outlet that giving the school a mental health area seemed like a good opportunity to help its students. 

He and his scoutmaster, Todd Shaw, spent several weekends building the four garden boxes. 

His mother, Nasly Lopez, told the news outlet how proud she was of her son. She added that she was impressed with how he was able to complete the project from vision to execution. 

Lopez managed to raise $1,600 with the help of a GoFundMe. He also had donors who helped him raise the $2,400 needed to fund the project. 

The Eagle Scout called the entire experience very rewarding. He added that it was fulfilling to see the project come together. 

Lopez was amazed at what started as two beams of wood. He was glad to see that things had already come to fruition. 

He is to complete his report and earn final merit badges before attending his Eagle board review.

Lopez is currently a junior at West Orange High School. He is also a Winter Garden resident.

Anti-Bullying Campaign

In a report with Police 1, authorities are increasing their efforts to prevent bullying incidents in schools. 

Sheriff Marcos López told the news outlet that he instructed his deputies to implement an anti-bullying initiative. 

The police department plans to do it at the county's elementary schools. These deputies will coordinate with mental health professionals to address problematic behavior in the students. 

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