During performances for Walnut Springs Middle School’s orchestra, Alexandre Hedrick noticed students sharing instruments and sitting out for different songs for an opportunity to play.
He learned there weren’t enough instruments for all students and the realization sat with him as he considered a leadership service project for his bid to become an Eagle Scout.
His goal was to raise $1,000 and hopes to receive at least 10 instruments through donations.
This week, he delivered what he was able to purchase through donations and a car wash last month: 13 instruments valued at around $5,000, including nine violins, a trombone, a clarinet and a flute as well as a $185 donation to the Walnut Springs Music Department.
Hedrick raised more than $1,200 from a car wash fundraiser he organized and used the money to purchase used instruments online as well as from various pawn shops and music stores. He worked with local musicians to fix the instruments at negotiated discounted rates. After all his efforts, he had $185 left, which he ultimately donated directly to the school’s music program.
“It didn't make any sense why kids practice and play the whole year only to sit out during a performance,” said Hedrick, now a freshman at Westerville North High School. “It was something I wanted to help change.”
By donating the instruments and money to school leaders this week, Hedrick has taken his last steps in his journey toward Eagle Scout. He started scouting with Pack 966/based out of Mark Twain Elementary in the first grade. Eagle Scout is the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Scouts BSA program of the Boy Scouts of America. Since its inception in 1911, only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank after a lengthy review process.