While many adults are spending their time bickering over politics or — as an Eagle editorial on Tuesday pointed out — even attacking the health care professionals who are doing their best to keep people safe during a pandemic, it’s great to see a local youth doing something positive and productive with his time.

At age 15, Cranberry Township’s Brody Schmitt already has earned 21 merit badges in scouting and seeks to earn an Eagle Scout rank through a project he’s undertaking to better his community.

Schmitt recently repaired 10 park benches at Cranberry Township Community Park during three days between late October and early November with the aid of some adult volunteers and three fellow members of Boy Scout Troop 403.

“I felt this would benefit the most amount of people in my community,” he said.

Imagine what could be accomplished in one’s community if everyone took this attitude, and sought to improve their neighborhood, rather than spending time on intentionally taking opposing positions — regardless of how much sense they make — from those with whom one disagrees on partisan issues.

Schmitt provides a great example to the young and old in his community.

And his project provides a great benefit to his fellow community members, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Local parks and recreational spaces have seen increased amounts of visitors during the pandemic, so fixing up benches in a community park could help ensure that people return there.

Most Scouts obtain the seventh and final rank of Eagle Scout when they are 16 or 17 years old. For an Eagle Scout project, a youth has to go to a local organization or nonprofit to discuss needed community projects, organize how they’ll get it done, create a budget, find volunteers and fundraise to purchase the materials for the project.

During his search for building materials, Schmitt said he got a lot of rejections, but he persisted and found money and volunteers for the project.

As a result, Cranberry Township Community Park has 10 repaired benches. And Schmitt says he intends to continue his scouting career even if he earns the final rank.

Next, his work will go before an Eagle Board of Review through the Moraine Trails Council.

We wish him luck, and his community owes him thanks for doing something to make it a better place.

— NCD