Jonathan Mitchell, a junior at China Spring High School, is working toward earning his rank of Eagle Scout, which is the highest and most prestigious achievement in the Boy Scouts of America. Members pursuing this rank are required to do a community project. The goal of the project is to demonstrate an ability to plan, delegate and work with others to achieve a vision. Mitchell describes the process as, “A challenge that allows you to step up, gives you more leadership experience, and build relationships.”
When deciding the focus of his project, Mitchell wanted to give back to his school district. His project donates five communication signs distributed across the district. Based on the Fitzgerald Scale, communication signs provide a resource for students with different communication needs. Mitchell has four siblings, three currently enrolled at schools within China Spring ISD. “My younger brother and sister both have challenges communicating and that’s where the idea came from,” notes Mitchell. Working with representatives from the district, Mitchell helped design the signs. The signs are meant to be an extension of resources students already use in the classroom. The communication signs are located at the Intermediate, Primary and Elementary campuses.
Mitchell has dedicated 2 years, 260 hours and worked with 30 different people across China Spring ISD to implement his community project. “I hope these signs help non-verbal students and I hope they inspire younger students to do projects like the one I did here that gives back to the district,” says Mitchell.