2019 Clarke Central High School graduate Harvey Sugiuchi, along with Athens area Boy Scout Troop 1111, recently restored the entrance to the nature trails at Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School. A substantial network of trails is located in the forest behind the school. During the recent building renovation, the entrance trail deteriorated from erosion. As part of his requirements to earn the rank of Eagle Scout, Sugiuchi created a plan for the entrance restoration.

Sugiuchi began in the spring by researching, designing, and planning the project. After receiving the necessary approvals from CCSD and the local BSA Council, he fabricated 240 feet of edging by cutting and welding raw steel stock. In June the troop members, under Sugiuchi's leadership, leveled the path and installed the steel. Finally, they moved, placed, and compacted 4 tons of gravel and 3 tons of slate path mix. The entrance trail leads to an outdoor amphitheater classroom and the trail network.

This is the third Eagle Scout project completed by members of Troop 1111 in 2019. "All three projects help our community enjoy the outdoors," Scoutmaster Randy Smith said, "They provide access to outdoor recreation opportunities and will allow adults and children to enjoy and learn about our natural environment. All of this continues their Scouting principles- giving back to the community, being good stewards of the earth, and providing leadership for others."

"What an excellent example for our young ones at OAES to follow," Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary principal Dr. Bipul Singh says. "As a father of a Boy Scout myself, I know how much commitment it takes to make such a project happen."

Harvey Sugiuchi is the son of Chase Street Elementary STEM instructor Chris Sugiuchi and Oglethorpe Avenue Elementary School Library Media Specialist Deirdre Sugiuchi. He is a product of Clarke County Schools, having attended Whit Davis Elementary, Chase Street Elementary, Clarke Middle, and Clarke Central High School, where he played in the band. Sugiuchi also ran for Central's track and cross country teams, serving as the latter's team captain his senior year. Sugiuchi will be attending Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts this fall, where he earned a presidential scholarship.