Oct 14, 2013 By Meg Thompson for The 3 min read

Saying he is proud to be a “Masontownian,” one teen chose his Eagle Scout project as a way to boost the pride of residents.

Scout Drew Colebank repaired a retaining wall of the Masontown Municipal Complex at Main and Church streets. Much of the wall had decayed, and the planters attached to it were in need of attention as well. Colebank replaced or repaired some of the railroad ties making up the wall that were a hazard or in very poor condition. He repaired the planters, weeded and tilled the soil, planted flowers and put down rubber mulch.

“I take a lot of pride in my town. I believe it has a lot of rich history to it, and I think that this area has suffered and degraded in society. I just thought it was a good way to bring things back to the way it needs to be,” said Colebank, 17.

When he was searching for a project, Colebank visited the municipal building to inquire about ideas. He didn’t have to look far. The building is in the center of town, and Colebank said the retaining wall was an eyesore.

Colebank received help from his brother Devon Colebank and cousin Dustin Colebank. All three boys are members of Boy Scouts Troop 654 in Masontown. Colebank said his mother and grandmother were also very supportive.

One day while working, Colebank was approached by three brothers and their two sisters who lived nearby asking if he wanted some help. He was surprised when they kept returning eager to assist him.

“It was a complete surprise. I definitely learned about the power of blessing. Now they’re good friends of mine,” Colebank said.

Colebank said he also learned how to be a better leader.

“If you want to be in charge of a project, you have to be considerate of others and yourself. You have to know how hard you can work yourself, and how hard you can work others. To be kind, understanding and compassionate. The gifts of the spirit,” he said.There is a legacy of Scouting in Colebank’s family. His grandfather, father and uncle are all Eagle Scouts.

“I had a plan that I was going to get there,” he said.

Colebank said in Boy Scouts, there is a term “cheerful service”, and it means service with a smile.

“If you’re doing a service that maybe in the grand scheme of things a normal person wouldn’t, enjoy it, you know you’re going to make it fun, and that’s what that was. It was rewarding how the community businesses, friends and citizens could come together and just fix up the town,” he said.

A son of Thomas and Kathleen Colebank of Masontown, Drew Colebank will graduate from Albert Gallatin Senior High School in the spring and plans to attend the University of Pittsburgh to study pre-medical, neurosciences and religious studies.