Scout’s Honor

Greensburg’s Ty Schlesman earns his Eagle Scout rank after restoring a gazebo at St. Xavier Nature Preserve.

At 16, Greensburg Salem High School junior Ty Schlesman is already making a lasting impact in his community. Ty is a dedicated student, athlete and leader while balancing a rigorous academic schedule with extracurricular activities and community service. He excels in advanced placement courses, including biology, chemistry, Spanish, art and psychology. Beyond the classroom, he’s a member of the varsity tennis team, serves as treasurer and social media manager for the Spanish Club, and is active in the National Art Honor Society, National Honor Society and Interact Club.

In addition to his academic and extracurricular pursuits, Ty is a dedicated Scout who recently earned his Eagle Scout rank with Boy Scout Troop 226, where he has served as assistant senior patrol leader and patrol leader. He is also a member of the Order of the Arrow, the honor society of Scouting America. His leadership and dedication were more than evident with his Eagle Scout project that focused on restoring a gazebo at the St. Xavier Nature Preserve for the Westmoreland Land Trust.

“One of my neighbors, whose family member works at the Westmoreland Land Trust, mentioned that they were in need of an Eagle Scout to assist with the rehabilitation of a gazebo,” Ty explains. “As a complete rebuild of the roof was required, I knew this would take careful planning, significant effort and considerable expense—but I was ready for the challenge.”

Ty met with Westmoreland Land Trust Executive Director Betsy Aiken on Feb. 21, 2024, to discuss the project. Over the course of the rehabilitation, he replaced the decaying roof with composite shingles, pressure-washed and stained the entire gazebo, built a step off the back entrance for safety, and replaced the deteriorating cupola. Through fundraising and outreach efforts, he secured most of the necessary materials through donations, saving the Land Trust a significant amount of money.

While the project was a rewarding experience, it did not come without challenges. “The most difficult part was getting volunteers due to availability and non-responsiveness,” says Ty. “My dad and I did most of the roof, with occasional assistance from other family members. Two members of my troop helped with the staining. In the end, I’d say I did about 99 percent of the project on my own with help from my dad—it wasn’t easy, but it was a huge learning experience.”

Directing such a significant initiative further developed Ty’s leadership skills. “I was completely in charge of the planning and execution of this project. While I accepted constructive feedback from others, I ultimately made sure everything was on schedule and that the project was completed successfully.”

The restored gazebo now stands as both a scenic and functional feature of the St. Xavier Nature Preserve. “My project was designed to make the gazebo a safe, usable structure and secure its ongoing protection and use for many years,” Ty says. “Visitors can now enjoy it for picnicking, birdwatching and community events, and it can serve as a great focal point for photography and artists.”

Looking ahead, Ty has ambitious plans for his future. After graduating from high school, he hopes to attend the University of Pittsburgh to dual-major in psychology and education with a minor in Spanish. His ultimate goal is to become a child psychiatrist, using the skills he has gained through Scouting to navigate challenges and help others.

“The challenges and rewards of Boy Scouts have taught me to confidently strive for success, even in the face of obstacles,” he says. “I have built character, developed leadership skills and learned practical abilities like first aid, CPR, survival and navigation. As an Eagle Scout, I feel more prepared for my future endeavors than ever before.”

With this strong foundation of leadership, service and determination, Ty Schlesman is a young leader on the radar—both in his community and beyond.