Mason Ferreira, a dedicated scout since the fourth grade, recently completed his Eagle Scout project at Pacheco High School, which marked the culmination of years of hard work and community service.
Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is a large achievement in the Boy Scouts of America, requiring the completion of numerous merit badges, leadership positions and the design and execution of a service project that benefits a non-profit organization.
For his final project, Ferreira chose to give back to his school by creating something unique: an 11-foot by 11-foot concrete chessboard for students to enjoy during their lunch breaks and club meetings.
Ferreira’s journey began when he and his friend, Michael Maturino, started the chess club at Pacheco High School during their freshman year. As he came close to graduation, Ferreira knew he wanted his Eagle Scout project to benefit the school that had been a part of his life for years.
He designed a large, permanent chessboard that would provide students with the opportunity to play outside and offer a fun, engaging way to play chess.
Planning and organizing the project took several months. Ferreira received donations from friends, family and local businesses to fund the materials he needed for the project. Generous contributions came from The Morning Star Packing Company, Triangle Rock, Home Depot, and Sorensen’s Rentals, as well as from the local community, who helped by sponsoring individual chess pieces with their names engraved on them.
These donations allowed Ferreira to purchase 26-inch-tall chess pieces and storage solutions to ensure the project’s longevity.
With all the resources in place, Ferreira and his team of volunteers, which included nearly 20 friends, family members, teachers and scouts, started setting up during spring break. Setting up the chessboard took 2 days from March 25-26.
The project required hard work and teamwork, but with the help of volunteers, Ferreira successfully completed the chessboard by March 27. The result was a stunning, functional chessboard that now sits outside at Pacheco High, ready for students to enjoy.
The chessboard provides a place for students to get together, talk and engage with one another while playing chess.
The support of key people such as Pacheco High Principal, Rebecca Salinas, the chess club advisor Daniel Parkes, and Mr. Medrano, the head custodian, played a large role in making sure everything went smoothly.
Additionally, the LBUSD irrigation department also helped in preparing the ground for installation.
Ferreira expressed his gratitude to everyone who contributed to the project, including the volunteers who worked tirelessly to make his vision a reality. He thanked his grandpa for his invaluable advice and his parents for their unwavering support throughout his scouting journey.
As Ferreira prepares to graduate this June, he can be proud knowing that his Eagle Scout project will leave a lasting impact on Pacheco High School.
