Former Kedron Elementary student Mason Avidano never forgot the discussion he had with his fifth grade enrichment teacher about her idea to have an outdoor theatre at the school. Fast-forward four years later to his freshman year at McIntosh High, and Mason has made her idea a reality.
Back at Kedron, Mason was very involved in Boy Scouts. Enrichment teacher Amy Beaucham remembers asking him if he planned to be an Eagle Scout, and recalls him proudly saying, “Yes ma’am, that is my goal.” She went on to tell Mason that she had a wonderful idea for an Eagle Scout project, an outdoor theatre in the school’s Sherwood Forest, a section of the school’s grounds that is on a tree canopied hill. There is a wooden handrail and steps leading up to the hill along with a small wooden table and benches at the top.
“I wanted to enrich the feasibility and appeal in terms of teachers’ use of this area. I recall that he listed intently and said with a smile, ‘that is a great idea.’ After he left Kedron, I kept the hope that he would keep the idea in mind, but I knew many other project ideas would need to be considered by him,” says Beaucham.
When school started back this year after the summer break, students and teachers at Kedron returned to find a newly constructed 12-foot by 12-foot outdoor stage in Sherwood Forest. Teachers can now hold outdoor performances, classes, lectures, or scientific observations on the stage. Beaucham says she uses the stage every day that weather permits. She recently conducted a science experiment involving moisture.
Mason collaborated with Beaucham and the school’s principal, Dr. Julie Turner, to develop the design, and then worked with the school system’s facility personnel to ensure the safety of the structure. Mason says it took him a total of 10 hours and 30 minutes to complete the project, along with assistance from family and Scout helpers. Mason remembers Beaucham saying that she wanted an outdoor theatre to breath life back into the seldom-used Sherwood Forest, and now he has brought her concept to fruition. Not only did he construct the stage, but he also refinished the handrail leading up to the hill, as well as the small wooden teaching table and benches that were already there.
“I feel the improvements in the area along with the fabulous stage will serve all teachers and students at Kedron well. What he finalized as the decided plans truly made my dream come true, and I knew all of the teachers would be thrilled,” says Beaucham.
Beaucham describes Mason as an extraordinary young man who possesses a generous heart, maturity beyond his years, and is a true scholar.
“When I received the email from Mason and realized he had remembered our conversation about the stage being a possible Eagle Scout project for him, I was so touched. It is so wonderful to see the conversation between a teacher and student come to fruition,” Beaucham says.
