By Nicole MOORE

Boy Scout Ryan Januzik is on his way to completing his Eagle Scout project.

Januzik from Troop 317 is replacing the plaques throughout the Montrose Shopping Park. Completing the project should take about three weeks. He and his volunteers, who consist of his family, friends, and troop members, spent the last few Saturdays tilling the soil and using power tools to remove the previous plaques. Januzik said that he is aiming for nothing short of perfection.

“Since it’s the Montrose Shopping Park, I want [the project] to come out perfect,” he said.

Initially, Januzik wanted his Eagle Scout project to honor veterans. He expressed his desire to join the Air Force and implied that respecting former military members is close to his heart. During the planning phase of his project, Januzik contacted Steve Pierce, formerly with the Navy and current liaison with the Montrose Shopping Park Association, for guidance on how to move forward with a project that would benefit the MSP. While brainstorming, Pierce directed Januzik toward the idea of replacing the shopping park’s plaques.

The Montrose Shopping Park Association board members were interested in having new plaques installed especially since many of the older ones, installed by Januzik’s troop seven years ago, were damaged. The previous plaques offered summaries of the shopping park’s history. The newly installed plaques will be etched with similar information. A total of 36 plaques will be replaced with an estimated cost of $4,000.

Over the past year, Januzik has been inspecting the old plaques, deciding which plaques needed to be replaced. He has also contacted business owners, asking permission to put up plaques on the walls of various buildings throughout the MSP. Most were receptive to the idea.

Januzik credits his desire to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout as the reason he initially joined the Boy Scouts so many years ago. He became a Cub Scout at the age 5, with his father David Januzik as his troop leader. Januzik said he believes being a member of the Boy Scouts has shaped him as an individual.

“If I hadn’t joined I wouldn’t be the same person. I have new hobbies. I love camping, I love the outdoors [and] I love helping others. [Through Boy Scouts] I do a lot of service for others,” he said. “Boy Scouts has taught me to help others at all times.”

Januzik thanked Lowe’s, Santoro’s Submarine, FastFrame, Do It Center, and Burrtec for their donations to his project.

  Nicole MOORE