Eagle Scout project brightens special festival

Joe Kelly, director for Exceptional Children at BOCES 2, Richard Baker, Boy Scout whose Eagle project refreshed SEPTO Fair games, are standing in front of one of Baker's paintings that designates where the fishing pond game is located. Provided photo.

Eagle Scout project brightens special festival

Great cookout smells filled the air, games lined the tent and music was playing, though at times it was hard to hear over the infectious laughter of happy children.

For Richard Baker, a 16-year-old home school student from Brockport, it was rewarding to take in the party atmosphere. Baker led a team of 15 to 20 Boy Scouts on his Eagle Scout project, which entailed painting all of the game booths used for the Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES Annual Special Education Parent Teacher Organization (SEPTO) Fair.

"I felt good when I was able to see it up and see the other kids enjoying it," said Richard. In addition to painting the booths that had worn over the festival's 22 years of operation, Richard painted cartoon characters on some of the walls to make the background inviting for students. The project took Richard's team about 163 total hours to complete.

The SEPTO Fair is a fun festival for all special education students served by BOCES 2.

"It means the world to us that Richard and his friends would take the time to do this," said Joe Kelly, BOCES 2 director for Exceptional Children. "Our SEPTO Fair is a great event for this community and Richard's effort makes this year's festival even more special."

Richard's mother, Nancy, said her son's project also had a special place in her family's heart as they have benefited from BOCES services.

"The BOCES program has always been great for kids," Nancy said.