Eagle Scout transforms Clearview courtyard into Romanesque vegetable garden
When Clearview Regional High School junior Eric Uhorchuk was a freshman, his English classroom was located next to a courtyard. Originally a Japanese garden, the space had begun to deteriorate and the uncomfortable, drab atmosphere quickly disappointed students when they grabbed their beach towels to read under the sun.
When confronted with the decision of what to do for his Eagle Scout service project, Uhorchuk, an honors architecture student, envisioned a renovated Romanesque vegetable garden for the courtyard, which would provide students a serene space to read and learn, as well as fresh food for local food pantries and the school’s culinary arts program. As well, as the vice president for the school’s Latin Club, he hoped the space would help promote the club and encourage students to join.
“Originally, when I designed the garden, I wanted to scratch the entire former design,” Uhorchuk said. “However, I decided to let it take its shape, rather than make it symmetrical. I added changes to the design to not only make it look better, but give it a unique sense.”
According to the Boy Scouts of America, the purpose of an Eagle Scout project is to provide service and “help other people at all times,” while also developing or improving leadership skills within Scouts. The project teaches lessons in project management, as well as “taking responsibility for a significant accomplishment.”
“I wanted to help people get into a new environment,” Uhorchuk said. “Classrooms are not the most fun environment, but when you’re in a garden with flowers, plants and birds, you enjoy it and learn more.”
Uhorchuk’s garden features wooden benches, seven vegetable beds and flowerbeds and artistic decorations to create his desired atmosphere.
“I look out there and see other students smiling, watering the garden, waving hi,” Uhorchuk said. “I’m exceedingly proud of not only what I put in, but all of the other workers and volunteers. I’m shocked and amazed at how amazing it looks.”
Having joined the Cub Scouts at a young age, Uhorchuk said he got involved with Mullica Hill’s Troop 7026 around 2007.
“For every boy going into the fifth grade, I would highly recommend joining Cub Scouts and continuing through,” Uhorchuk said. “Meeting all of the people there, you have a second family.”
Uhorchuk independently spent more than 43 hours on the project, with a total of 266 hours from the help of 31 volunteers. Although the original cost to fund the project was close to $3,000, Uhorchuk said, he received approximately $2,800 in donations from friends, family and local businesses.
“The new garden has had a very positive effect on both staff and students,” Principal Keith Brook said. “To start, the courtyard looks beautiful — everyone has been quick to notice and comment about the transformation. This was essentially an unusable space before Eric went to work.”
According to Brook, the high school culinary teachers and students have incorporated the fresh produce harvested in the gardens into their lessons, and have embraced the opportunity to create “farm to table” meals.
“I could not be more proud of what Eric has accomplished for our school — he is worthy of high praise,” Brook said. “Eric will be able to say he has left a legacy at Clearview.”
