Whitman Elementary School Unveils Former Student’s Eagle Scout Project Beautifying and Transforming School Courtyard
 

For Immediate Release
June 25, 2025

Current Whitman students cheer as former student Shiraz Mehta and principal Julie Hopp unveil his courtyard Eagle Scout project.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP - Shiraz Mehta was a student at Whitman Elementary School from 2016-20, and when it came time to work on a project to become an Eagle Scout, he had his alma mater in the front of his mind. On Monday, June 16, 2025, Mehta was on hand to unveil his work, as the school hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate a newly refurbished courtyard.

Mehta began the process in early 2024, developing ideas and coming up with a presentation to give to the Washington Township Board of Education. The project was approved by the Board in September 2024 and by the Garden State Council in November 2024, giving Mehta the green light to move forward.

After a period of fundraising, Mehta got to work on the project in March, wrapping up in June. Mehta cleaned up the corner of the courtyard, adding two mulched garden areas and multiple benches that the school can use as an outdoor reading area. Additionally, to impart his love of geography onto the future generations of Whitman students, Mehta painted a colorful representation of the United States map onto the school blacktop.

“We are so honored that Shiraz devoted his time and energy to make Whitman a better place!” Whitman principal Julie Hopp said.

Whitman staff present Shiraz Mehta with a certificate thanking him for his creation of a reading area and U.S. map to the school courtyard and blacktop. Pictured include (left to right), physical education teacher Adam Clark, fifth-grade teacher Tia Cade, intervention specialist Victoria Dott, principal Julie Hopp, and elementary supervisor Christine Gehringer.

Whitman students pose with Shiraz Mehta (front right) in the new courtyard reading area.

- WTPS -