Eagle scout creates new sign for Bigfork High School
<p>Caleb M. Soptelean/Bigfork Eagle Keegan and Rod Driver work on Keegan's Eagle Scout project, a sign on Bigfork High School, during Spring Break last week.</p>
An eagle that soared over Bigfork High School last week could have signified approval of Keegan Driver’s Eagle Scout project.
Driver, 16, is a Bigfork sophomore who has been working on a sign project for the high school for almost a year. Last week he placed lettering on the side of the school to help visitors locate the building.
While he and his dad, Rod, worked on the project on April 2, an eagle soared overhead.
Prior to the new sign, Driver said there wasn’t anything identifying the high school. “It looks like just another building,” he said the day prior to placing the letters. “There was confusion with the two schools. People thought it was a gym. There was confusion with the basketball games.” There is a sign in front of Bigfork Elementary School, but it just says “Bigfork Schools.”
Keegan’s brother Chris also helped with the project, along with BHS sophomore Tyler Iverson and school maintenance man Mike McGill.
Driver received a lot of support from local residents and businesses. Chief among these was a $1,000 donation by retiree Jack Paulson. “He just liked the idea,” Driver said. Driver got the idea for the sign from a Scout from a Lakeside troop that put a sign on Kalispell’s Glacier High School.
The white aluminum letters are 1/4-inch thick and 16 inches tall. Tim Kittle from Bigfork Electric will be installing some lighting along with the project so that the sign is lit up at night.
Driver is a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 1923, which is sponsored by Bethany Lutheran Church and which his father helped start in 2008. Driver has been in Scouting since the first grade, his mother Sarah said. “Everyone has been so supportive,” Sarah said. “Keegan said, ‘This is the best place ever!’”
Materials were provided by Sliter’s Ace Hardware, while Gary Whalen of United Rentals donated use of a lift. A number of local fund-raisers were also held.
Driver was able to complete the project over Spring Break so that it greeted students upon their return.