Page 33 - South Mississippi Living - December, 2016

FOR MORE REFLECTIONS OF THE GULF COAST >> www.smliving.net December 2016 • SOUTH MISSISSIPPI Living 33
JARRED BISHOP
scoutmasters, Bailey and the troop used a borrowed backhoe and bush hog as well as other tools to complete the trail. Allen Plumbing donated culverts to improve drainage from artesian springs along the trail into the bayou.
drive. “The blood drive was inspired from being put in situations in which I needed emergency surgery,” said Wesley. “A lot of times in those cases, blood transfusions are needed.”
Gulfport High School junior Jarred Bishop has been a Boy Scout since age nine. His parents, Tony and Becky Bishop, have been supportive of his scouting career and his dad has been a volunteer with the Scouts for 10 years. His older brother Zachary also obtained Eagle Scout.
GRAYSON DYAL
For his second project, he built benches on the Tuxachanie trail. “I figured benches would provide resting areas and places to observe nature along the trail.” Wesley built three benches, placed in different locations
on the trail. He was aided by assistant scoutmaster Mike Edwards who he credits with his success in scouting.
For his project, Jarred built nesting boxes for the Eastern Screech owl. These special boxes are needed to protect baby owls from falling out of their nests and being eaten by predators. Jarred used money from his chores
On his 11th birthday, Grayson Dyal, now a senior at Gulfport High, joined the Boy Scouts and wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father who was an Eagle Scout. He is the son of Jonathan and Marcie Dyal.
and with the help of his parents assembled enough supplies and a group of volunteers to construct these special pieces. The boxes were given to the Mississippi Master Naturalist program and placed throughout the Coast.
“Scouting has given me valuable wilderness and leadership skills,” he said.
Still unsure of his future plans, Wesley is considering joining the Marine Corps or possibly working offshore.
Jarred is currently dual enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and plans to pursue a degree in engineering.
“I got the inspiration for my project when I saw a bunch of tourists at Beauvoir complain about there not being a trail to a specific landmark, and that they were having to walk through the mud and overgrowth,” he said.
Gulfport High School senior Jay Warren is the son of Marty and Anne Warren. Involved in scouting since age 11, Jay has always had his sights set on becoming an Eagle Scout.
BAILEY HALLIDAY
“To reach the rank of Eagle Scout, it takes dedication and energy, but the reward is definitely worth it,” Jay said.
A sophomore at Gulfport High School, Bailey Halliday has been in scouting since he was 11. He is the son of Ginger and Jim Halliday. Bailey’s admiration of older Scouts made him want to pursue the rank of Eagle Scout.
For Gray, who also interns with the Gulfport Fire Department and is dual enrolled at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, his future plans include pursing
a degree in criminology from Mississippi State and becoming a firefighter.
For his project, Jay saw a
need at the Women’s Resource Center in Gulfport and decided to coordinate a supply drive
to benefit the Center. In two months, he collected over 250 items including diapers, baby wipes, pacifiers and other supplies the Center needed.
For his Eagle Scout project, Bailey worked for a two-year period and approximately 200 hours to rebuild and improve the overgrown walking path along Oyster Bayou at Biloxi’s Beauvoir. The project was completed in phases. He worked to survey and mark the trail and then to clear, level and install culverts for drainage. His fellow troop member, Grayson Dyal, then completed the trail by adding gravel.
WESLEY MECHATTO
“My parents initially helped me get in touch with the Women’s Resource Center, but Troop 301 scouts and I ultimately conducted the drive,” he added.
With the help of assistant
For his first project, he conducted a community blood
For his project, Gray completed the trail at Beauvoir that had been marked and cleared by Bailey Halliday and other Scouts. For his part, he laid the limestone on the trail that leads to the historical Dolly the Mule’s Rock.
JAY WARREN
Christian Collegiate Academy senior Wesley Mechatto actually completed two Eagle Scout projects in his efforts to reach scouting’s highest rank. He is the son of Phillip and April Mechatto of Gulfport.
Jay is still undecided about his college choice, but plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering and later hopes to attend medical school.