For 18-year-old Riley Rogers, earning the rank of Eagle Scout was about more than completing a project. It was an opportunity to give something back to the Plainville community that had supported him throughout his years of participating in local sports.

Rogers, a recent graduate of Plainville High School and the son of John and Anne Rogers, completed his Eagle Scout service project by installing flagpoles and lighting at the Plainville ballfields. 

Keith Eilts of Hays has been Riley's Scout Master with Troop 101. Riley started in the Cub Scouts in Plainville as a first-grader. As a 6th grader, he moved to the Hays troop in Boy Scouts because Plainville no longer had an active troop.

The project was inspired by Rogers' desire to provide a way for the community's baseball and softball teams to honor the United States before games.

“I wanted our baseball and softball teams to be able to honor our country by the playing of our national anthem or Pledge of Allegiance,” Rogers said.

The idea of installing flagpoles at the ballfields came after his mother's suggestion. Still, Rogers quickly saw the project as an opportunity to give back to the community that had supported him throughout his years in local sports.

“I also wanted to give back to my community for them supporting all the sports teams I have been a part of,” he said.

Although the project ultimately took about three years from planning to completion, Rogers admits that procrastination contributed to the lengthy timeline.

“The entire project took around three years only because I procrastinated a bunch of my project by just deciding not to do it right away,” he said.

Before beginning the work, Rogers had to receive approval from both the Plainville Recreation Commission and the Plainville City Council. He attended meetings of the recreation board and city council to present his proposal and request permission to complete the project.

Funding also required planning and effort. Rogers worked within a budget largely funded by money he had raised over the years through popcorn sales as a Scout. He also approached local businesses to ask for donations to help make the project possible.

One of the challenges he encountered was finding enough people to help when it was time to complete the installation.

“The biggest challenge I faced during the installation of the flagpoles and lighting was having people who were actually able to help me out when it was time for the project,” Rogers said.

For the lighting, Rogers chose a simple and practical solution. Solar lights were installed on the flagpoles, eliminating the need for more complicated electrical work while providing lighting for the flags.

Throughout the project, Rogers said he developed stronger leadership skills—one of the lessons he believes will stay with him long after his Scout career.

“I developed way better leadership skills throughout this project being planned and being carried out,” he said.

For Rogers, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout is a significant personal accomplishment. He went through his Board of Review process in Hays Thursday evening, July 30th. That process involved him being interviewed and questioned about his scout career, Eagle project, and his future plans. A board of people conducted the interview, which lasted 30-45 minutes. After the interview, Riley was asked to step out while the board discussed their thoughts. He was then invited back in and informed that he had received his Eagle rank.

“It is an honor to receive the rank of Eagle Scout because more people should do it because there are not enough Eagle Scouts in the world, I believe,” he said.

One person who played a particularly important role in Rogers' journey was Sandy Keas, whom he identified as the most influential person in helping him reach the milestone.

Rogers also has advice for younger Scouts who are beginning to think about their own Eagle Scout projects: don't give up when the work becomes difficult.

“Stick it through no matter what just because it seems like it is getting harder,” Rogers said. “That is a good thing because this will help you so much more in life.”

Now that the flagpoles are standing at the ballfields, Rogers said he is proud to know that the community will benefit from the project for years to come.

“I feel honored that I was actually given the chance to be able to give back to my community,” he said.

Although Rogers is moving on from Plainville, he hopes his involvement with Scouting will continue. He plans to become active in Scouting again later in life after graduating from college.

His next chapter will take him to Sterling College, where he plans to run cross country and track while majoring in athletic training.

For Rogers, the Eagle Scout project has left a lasting mark on both his own life and the community he calls home. The flagpoles at the Plainville ballfields will provide future generations of local athletes with an opportunity to honor their country—a fitting legacy for a Scout whose final project was inspired by his desire to give back. Riley and his family will attend a ceremony sometime next spring or early summer, where he will receive the Eagle Scout award and celebrate with friends, family, and fellow scouts.