EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT … Avery Perez, pictured, completed his Eagle Scout Project, in which he ensured that every house in Edgerton had a number on the house. Perez found 38 such houses and the project earned a commendation and plaque from Mayor Robert Day. (PHOTO BY DANIEL COOLEY, STAFF)
By: Daniel Cooley
Most males start their Eagle Scout projects at the age of 17. Avery Perez of Edgerton was a bit different, in that he started his project at the age of 15.
And it was a good thing that he started early, because the project was delayed one year, because of COVID.
One year later than expected, Perez was able to start his project and now has the project complete. The entire project was completed by early November of 2022.
Perez’s project was a bit different than most, too. Often, the projects are related to things like building a walkway or a new bridge, in a park.
Perez’s project, though, involved with finding houses within the village of Edgerton that did not have house numbers on the houses.
Here, since Perez does not yet have his driver’s license, his mother Sarah Perez drove him around the entire village, looking for houses that did not have numbers.
Perez made a note of them by putting what road they were on, a description of the house and what the next-door neighbor’s numbers were.
Next, Perez made written notes to these houses for them to sign. This included the house member telling where on the house they wanted the number placed, as well as making sure they had the right number.
Then, Perez and members of his troop 29, 29G (the girls scouts) and pack 29 (cub scouts), accompanied by an adult, passed out the notes to people who were home.
If they were not home, a note with Perez’s email was left at the door. These people were then asked to contact Perez by the email.
“I made sure each one told me the right house numbers, because sometimes, the numbers get a bit weird (didn’t fit the right pattern),” Perez said.
All told, Perez found 38 houses within the village that did not have numbers on the houses. With these houses then listed, Big C Lumber in Edgerton donated the printed numbers via stickers, to be placed on the houses.
Members of Troops 29, 29G and Pack 29 then put the numbers on the houses.
Next, Perez made a map of the village, including the new streets that had not been listed on a village map.
“I used Google Earth to take photos of the village and also took screen shots,” Perez said. “I made sure it all fit nicely and then laminated it.”
“All the street names were on the new map, which I presented to the fire department. And that’s where the map is, now.”
The Eagle Scout project earned a commendation and a plaque from Mayor Robert Day. Also, at the council meeting where the commendation took place, Edgerton Police Chief Gary Plotts praised the project, saying that though putting numbers on the houses, a lot of lives can be saved. Police and fire departments now know where those houses are.
“I had a lot of fun with this project, but it was also stressful, (having to deal with all the delays, like waiting a year, because of COVID)”, Perez said.
“A lot of what I did depended on the weather. I learned the value of making rain dates.”
Dan can be reached at publisher@thevillagereporter.com