Eagle Scout candidate leads volunteer paint job at Shortlidge

On the verge of earning his Eagle Scout rank, Salesianum rising senior Shane Compello is leading a volunteer contingent painting Shortlidge Academy hallways to brighten up the décor for students.

Boy Scouts from Troop 803 based at St. Mary’s Church and Hockessin United Methodist Church, employees from Lowes and school staff painted the lower half of the hallway walls a bright blue – replacing a drab gray color – Friday and Monday.

“It wasn’t very conducive to a learning environment for kids,” Compello said. “We just came in here to brighten things up a little bit."

The new color fits in the school colors – blue, gold and white.

The idea to paint at Shortlidge came to Compello out of a couple visits to the city school during the 2006-2007 school year, when his mother Jill was an assistant principal.

“It didn’t look the best, and I actually heard her talking about them redoing the paint job. It just kind of clicked – the whole Eagle Scout project,” Compello said.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank a Scout can earn and it is one he holds for life.

The Shortlidge project has been about more than just painting, Compello said.

“It’s supposed to be a leadership opportunity, to organize a group of people and help the community,” Compello said. “It’s a big task.”

Shortlidge Principal Linda Thomas said Compello did a good job of keeping volunteers happy by coordinating the schedule, providing water, Dunkin Donuts and pizza. And he also visited the school prior to beginning work for an assessment.

In addition, Shortlidge teacher Lashanda Wooten applied for a grant from Lowe’s, Thomas said.

Lowe’s gave the school $5,000 for the project, said Bob White, commercial sales specialist. That paid for the paint, which came at a discount.

The hardware store chain also supplied volunteers for the paint project, White said.

“We’re here to help, not just take your money,” White said. “We get a kick out of it. You make new friends.”

Among the Lowe’s volunteers were two employees, Miguel Blanco and Terry Luster, who had recently gotten off their overnight shift before heading over to Shortlidge.

Blanco needed a power nap after he got off work to revive himself, but the volunteer painting work was a lot of fun.

“It’s interesting to speak with the younger guys. It reminds me of when I was younger because I was a Boy Scout also,”  said Blanco of Wilmington.

Among the Boy Scout Troop members volunteering were Mike Cyhan and Thomas Cyhan of Newark, and Daniel Meschter of Hockessin.

“Shane helped me back when I did my Eagle Project about three years ago,” said Thomas Cyhan, a fellow student at Sallies who will attend West Virginia University in the fall. “So I wanted to help him and still stay involved with Scouts. It helps build character.”

After finishing the project at Shortlidge, Compello will undergo an Eagle Board of Review and a scoutmaster conference, among other things.

He hopes to achieve his desired rank at an Eagle Court of Honor.