Eagle Scout Morgan DesOrmeaux, a member of the Boy Scouts of America’s Midnight Sun Council Troop 1092 in Fairbanks, Alaska, built two cellphone booths for a local area library in Fairbanks.
During the spring of 2013, DesOrmeaux met with Greg Hill, former library director of Fairbanks North Star Borough Libraries—Noel Wien and North Pole Branch, to discuss his Eagle Scout project. Hill informed him of the issues library patrons were having using their cellphones in the Noel Wien Library.
The library had been looking for a private, quiet area kids could use to call their parents without having to leave the building, especially during the winter months, when temperatures may drop as low as minus 66 F. DesOrmeaux decided to build two cellphone booths for the Noel Wien Library.
Inspired by one of his favorite television shows, the BBC’s Doctor Who, DesOrmeaux decided to model one of the booths after the Doctor’s famed time-travel machine, the TARDIS.
The booths had to be constructed offsite and transported to the library. DesOrmeaux, members of Troop 1092, and friends logged more than 300 hours in order to complete the project.
“I was happy with how it turned out and everything, and I just hope people enjoy being able to utilize [them],” Morgan said.
“Morgan DesOrmeaux’s efforts, time, and determination resulted in very useful cellphone booths for the Noel Wien Library,” said Mary Ellen Baker, library director. “Patrons of all ages are able to use the booths to make and receive phone calls rather than have to go out to the lobby. Patrons are reacting very favorably to Morgan’s Eagle Scout project.”
DesOrmeaux, a Lathrop High School honor student, recently received his Eagle Scout Award. However, he plans to continue with his troop. “It feels pretty good to reach that goal, but I know that I’m still not done,” he said. “I have to give back to my trooper and give back to my community for what I’ve learned.”
Scouting helps youth achieve the aims of strengthening character, physical and mental fitness, and good citizenship. In order to become an Eagle Scout, the highest rank a Scout can earn, a Scout must earn 21 merit badges, 13 of which are required, as well as plan and carry out a service project.
