October 5, 2006

Soaring like an eagle

Leland senior completes Eagle Scout project despite obstacles

By Jeanne Carbone Lewis
Staff Writer

Those who say teenagers today only care about violent video games and MySpace should read about some of the impressive work done by local Boy and Girl Scouts.

Louis Stephan stands with the finished Eagle Scout animal containment area at Calero Park with his dog Pal in the enclosure. Photo courtesy of the Stephan family

Leland senior Louis Stephan just finished his Eagle Scout project, an animal containment area at Calero County Park. Not only does this represent a needed improvement at the recreation area, but along the way Stephan learned the value of leadership and giving back to the community through service projects.

“Eagle Scout projects like Louis’ really help improve the area,” said New Almaden Quicksilver County Park Association President Kitty Monahan. “They completed the blacksmith shop at the Quicksilver Museum, the landscape at the two Almaden post offices and now Louis’ animal containment project at Calero Park. They all do a terrific job planning the work, raising donations, getting a crew together to help and completing the project. And the dads are there helping. It’s really character-building for the boys.”

Stephan joined Boy Scout Troop 290 in Almaden when he was 12 years old. His father, Craig had been a member growing up in Missouri and urged his son to become involved and embrace the traditions. Stephan soon enjoyed the goals of Scouting—citizenship training, character development and personal fitness and began earning merit badges.

Of the 120 merit badges available, 21 must be earned to qualify for Eagle Scout, the highest rank. Of this group, 12 badges are required—first aid, citizenship in the community, citizenship in the nation, citizenship in the world, communications, environmental science, personal fitness, personal management, camping and family life. In addition, Stephan had a choice between emergency preparedness and lifesaving and cycling, hiking and swimming.

The over-achieving young man earned 25 merit badges ranging from art to rifle shooting, achieving a Life Scout rank before he was eligible for the rank of Eagle Scout. Stephan worked his way up to senior patrol leader, the highest appointed leadership position, providing guidance to other members in his troop.

Louis Stephan’s visit to Italy spurred his interest in history and language. Stephan with his uncle, Michael Beard, whom he visited in Venice, Italy, in front of Piazza San Marco. Photo courtesy of the Stephan family

“The best thing about being in the Scouts is that it gives you the opportunity to try a lot of different things that you might not otherwise try,” said Stephan. “You find out what you like; rock climbing or camping. I hadn’t camped and it was great to have the experience.”

A chance meeting with Santa Clara County Park Ranger Frank Weiland on a hike at the Mockingbird entrance of the Quicksilver Park led to the plan to build a much-needed animal containment area at Calero Park.

“I met Louis and his father last year and they asked if I needed a project done,” said Weiland. “I immediately thought about an animal containment area for Calero. I worked with him as far as what was needed and he submitted a proposal of the plans, design and other factors. Then he got a crew and built to the specs. He’s a good guy, polite and he follows through. I think it was a good experience for him.”

The rangers frequently contain and keep wild and domestic animals for short periods of time before they are picked up by San Jose Animal Care and Services. Wild pigs, turkeys, deer and dogs often posed a safety hazard and were kept in equipment sheds, trucks and offices. Now with their new animal containment area, Rangers have a safe and secure environment for the creatures.

“Louis came and asked me about the project,” said Calero, Quicksilver and Santa Teresa senior parks maintenance supervisor Drew Merry. “We looked at the plans and got the OK to proceed. He did a good job even though he didn’t have any construction experience. He was willing to learn and is a take-charge guy. And he’s easy to work with.”

Stephan first had to acquire approval for the Eagle Scout project with the Scouts as well as through Santa Clara County Parks, both requiring information regarding the nature of the project, time schedules, plans and financial estimates. Then he asked for donations from the Almaden Rotary, Home Depot and private individuals to build the project that cost $616.09.

Louis Stephan and his volunteer workers lay the cement for the floor of the animal containment area at Calero Park. Photo courtesy of the Stephan family

At the same time, the enterprising young man was organizing a work crew to build the animal containment area. His father Craig Stephan, Stephan Taylor, Brandon Timpe, Brendan Hinz, Norm Orloff and Bob Heinrich donated time to complete the project all under the guidance of Stephan. A total of over 120 hours were required to complete the building with Stephan clocking in over 50 hours. But as with most construction projects, there were a few snafus—a need for more cement, problems with the roof design and a tree limb falling on the almost-completed chain link structure. Stephan worked through all the problems and the result is a much-needed area for injured wildlife and stray animals.

When Stephan isn’t helping others, he is a busy senior at Leland High School. A family trip to Italy a few years ago spurred his interest in history and a love of the Italian language, so he is learning Italian and also Persian and Japanese.

He enjoys traveling so much that he is considering a career in international relations with a Middle Eastern emphasis. It’s an impressive future for an equally impressive teenager.