Eagle Project Builds on Legacy of Service

Gavin Borden of Troop 390 works on beautifying the campus of College View School as part of his Eagle Scout project.
Photos by Lori BODNAR

By Lori BODNAR, intern

Following in the footsteps of many who went before him, a local Eagle Scout embraces College View campus for his project.

College View School is the benefactor of the Eagle Scout project of Crescenta Valley High School freshman Gavin Borden of Troop 390. Borden is beautifying the campus of College View, which serves around 70 students ranging in age from preschool to 22 years. The school offers specialized instruction in academics, life skills, communications, socialization, and motor skills for students with severe intellectual or physical disabilities. Eligible students from Glendale, Burbank, La Crescenta, and La Cañada have attended the school since College View opened in 1977. In 2015, the school was remodeled using Measure S funds.

Borden led a team of over 40 volunteers to plant and relocate bushes and trees, trim, weed, replace soil, add wood chips, reset children’s memorial plaques and install a wooden sign near a water feature proclaiming, “College View Rocks.”

“I really wanted to help special education for my Eagle Scout project. The students at College View will appreciate having the outdoor time and beautiful scenery. I think it will benefit kids and help generations to come,” said Borden.

“Gavin was thorough with project planning. He mastered delegation. Everyone has a job to do and feels important,” said Gavin’s mom, Erica Borden. “I am proud of Gavin. He has such unique patience with kids and has tutored special needs students. When he found this project, it was a perfect fit. The school site is so special, and we wanted to honor that through his project, which will [allow] the kids to be more connected to nature,” said Brandon, Borden’s older brother.  

“Gregory Lunt helped me with my Eagle project. He had connections to schools and aided with the whole process,” Borden said.

Borden coordinated his project with Corky O’Rourke, teacher specialist at College View. Borden  has been in Boy Scouts for about five years. His troop scoutmaster is Doug Heder.

“There are many experiences to learn from in Boy Scouts. I have happy memories to share. Boy Scouts definitely helps me expand my skills and taught me to help others plus improve my communication skills,” Borden said. “My advice for Boy Scouts planning an Eagle project is you don’t have to do everything yourself. It is better to keep pushing through even when there are obstacles. I stopped many times and I realized I didn’t need to because there is always going to be somebody to help you.”

College View has a history of Boy and Girl Scouts helping through service projects. Several painted murals annually starting in school year 2015-16 beginning with a handprint mural organized by Eagle Scout Dante Coronado (Troop 395). Other projects included Sam Horn’s painted emojis and hearts and the saying, “Be Happy” with student handprints in 2016-17. Girl Scout Samira Iqbal (Troop 16691) made a “Mindfulness” mural with handprints and a giraffe for her Gold Award in 2017-18. Lina Urquiza (Troop 1941) painted an “Aloha” beach mural with sand and handprints resembling fish and ocean animals for her Girl Scout Gold Award in 2018-19. Lukas Elze (Troop 391) painted a rainbow, clouds and flowers with the saying “Ohana Means Family” for his Eagle Scout project in 2019-20. Hayden Lunt painted an animal mural on a playground shed for his Eagle Scout project.

O’Rourke noted that three years ago, the online Verdugo Academy Students formed an Associated Student Body (ASB) for College View to plan activities such as Halloween Carnival and prom. College View offers yoga and dance, has a therapy pool and an art program. During the pandemic, many activities were curtailed and prom was held virtually.

Borden’s Eagle project has improved the landscape, creating a welcoming garden that students can enjoy and reminding them that there are others who are thinking of them.