Riverwood International Charter Eagle Scout Gives Back To School

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — Riverwood International Charter School sophomore Piero Maddaleni custom built two large picnic benches for Raider Park, his high school’s baseball stadium. He designed and fabricated the 10-foot wooden tables as part of his quest to obtain the Boy Scouts of America’s (BSA) highest advancement award, the Eagle Scout award.

Maddaleni initially researched plans for building one extra-large table and offered a number of options to Riverwood Head Baseball Coach, Trey Henson. However, upon seeing the sizeable amount of space he had for installation, Maddaleni opted to construct two large tables instead.

Once he and the team agreed upon a design, he researched building materials, including wood species and synthetic options. Maddaleni then scheduled work days for his team of students, friends, and family who joined him in sanding, staining, and sealing the wood, as well as measuring, cutting, assembling, and delivering the tables to the field. Part of the assignment was to coordinate the project with his BSA Troop 232 adult advisor, Sam Miller, as well as with Henson. Both tables were delivered last summer, prior to the start of school.

“When the baseball team reached out to me about their need for picnic tables at the new Riverwood Baseball Stadium, I felt like it was the perfect project for me,” Maddaleni said in a release. “I am glad that I was given the opportunity to benefit my school."

Riverwood Baseball Head Coach Trey Henson said the picnic tables are a great addition to Raider Park.

"Families enjoy being able to sit at them during games and the players make use of them on a daily basis," Henson said in a release. "We can’t thank Piero enough for his hard work and contribution to Raider Baseball. A project for Riverwood by a Riverwood student is the best.”

Maddaleni successfully completed the board of review for his Eagle Scout rank on January 8 and will be recognized at his Court of Honor on May 13. He is one of only approximately 6 percent of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank. Each candidate must earn at least 21 merit badges and successfully complete a community, church or synagogue-related service project to earn his Eagle Scout award.