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Photograph by Moryt Milo
Eagle Scout: Gareth Hughes, 18, who built the new information kiosk in front of the Campbell Public Library, was recently honored by Terri Lehan, community library supervisor, for his work at a small library dedication on Feb. 28.
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Eagle Scout builds kiosk for library
By MORYT MILO
Gareth Hughes, a member of Troop 407, in Cupertino, needed to find a project to become an Eagle Scout--the highest honor in Boy Scouts.
For his project, Hughes installed an information kiosk in front of the Campbell Public Library.
"Building the kiosk was something I was interested in doing and thought it would be a good project to satisfy my Eagle Scout requirement," Hughes said. "I presented the idea to my troop master, and it was accepted."
The idea was also accepted by the officials with Santa Clara County Council Boy Scouts of America, which gives final approval to all Eagle Scout projects.
Hughes, 18, also had to find funding, which was another part of the project's requirement.
"Gareth was lucky when it came to funding and supplies," his mother and Campbell librarian Lisa Hughes said. "The city [of Campbell] wanted this done. So the city was willing to help support the project."
Gareth also said various businesses were large-hearted and donated the wood and Plexiglas needed to build the kiosk.
"[Campbell business] Summit Remodeling Company was especially generous," he said. "They donated a lot of Plexiglas."
Summit Remodeling owner Tom Murray said Gareth approached his business about the project and asked if he would be supportive.
"As a Campbell business, we look to support local activities and Gareth's project seemed like a great idea," Murray said.
During a small dedication ceremony for the library's new entrance Feb. 28, Gareth was honored by being asked to cut the ribbon around the kiosk. He also helped put in the kiosk's first flyers .
For Gareth, now a student at De Anza Community College in Cupertino, the Boy Scouts played an important role during his school years.
"I became a scout when I was 7 years old," he said. "My dad [Michael] was a troop master."
Gareth stayed with scouting because he enjoyed camping, hiking and strong ties to his troop friends. At 15, he became a Life Scout--the rank before Eagle Scout--but couldn't find the right project to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
"But my friends kept encouraging me and telling me to keep looking," he said.
Even before he achieved Eagle Scout ranking April 16, 2001, he was an assistant troop master. He also volunteered his time at the Campbell Library, where he helped sort and locate misplaced books.
He said the project taught him how to work with various organizations.
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Cupertino, California Since 1947
