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Marshall Hill gains outdoor classroom from Eagle project

| 28 Jul 2017 | 10:42
    Photos by Don Webb Alex Kerssen is seen speaking at the outside classroom he built as his Eagle Scout project.
    Photos by Don Webb Alex Kerssen is seen speaking at the outside classroom he built as his Eagle Scout project.
    Alex Kerssen and his brother, Patrick, who became an Eagle Scout in 2014.
    Alex Kerssen and his brother, Patrick, who became an Eagle Scout in 2014.
    Marshall Hill gains outdoor classroom from Eagle project
    With his parents, Eric and Lisa Kerssen in the background, Alex Kerssen receives his medal from his brother Patrick.
    With his parents, Eric and Lisa Kerssen in the background, Alex Kerssen receives his medal from his brother Patrick.
    A proud mom, Lisa Kerssen congratulates her son.
    A proud mom, Lisa Kerssen congratulates her son.

WEST MILFORD — Newly minted Eagle Scout Alex Kerssen, with help from his fellow Scouts of Troop 146, his family and friends, created an outdoor classroom at Marshall Hill Elementary School for his Eagle Scout project. The project was to honor PTA mom and volunteer, Valerie McGuinness, who died in 2014.
With donated heavy machinery, he directed the clearing of an area on the east end of the school and the removal of rocks and debris from the area.
He acquired several lengths of raw wood to be cut and planed for use as benches. Additionally, Alex directed the placing of the benches and the filling of the area with mulch.
To complete the project, he had a podium built to match the look of the benches and to facilitate teaching in the new outdoor classroom. Students and faculty are eager to use the classroom as it offers a respite from being indoors.
Alex's scoutmaster was Bob Ruth of Troop 146 in Hewitt. Alex is the son of Eric and Lisa Kerssen and the brother of Patrick Kerssen, himself an Eagle Scout.