Eagle Scouts provide service to their communities, often without recognition.

Undoubtedly, those good turns deserve a spotlight, especially when a shy, reserved teenager comes of age as a …

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Eagle Scouts provide service to their communities, often without recognition.

Undoubtedly, those good turns deserve a spotlight, especially when a shy, reserved teenager comes of age as a leader.

“I already knew for my Eagle Scout project I wanted to do something related with animals,” Jenkins said. “Once I knew about the chicken coop at the Harnett County Animal Shelter, I was ready to do it and plan it out. At first, I was really scared because I didn’t have much building experience.”

A junior at Overhills High School, Jenkins reached out to the shelter’s director Larry Smith. They discussed the project and drew up the paperwork.

Next came the planning process.

Jenkins needed to get building material, raise funds and enlist help to complete the project.

Plus, he had to tackle his nerves.

“The hardest part of the planning process was putting myself out there, especially asking for donations and help,” Jenkins said. “I thought about giving up and going to a different plan, which I didn’t want to do. What kept me going was just how much I was being depended on to do this.

“I told my dad, ‘let’s call people up and see what we can do.’”

Two local businesses provided materials and support.

Armed with renewed confidence, Jenkins put his plan in action.

Scout members and leaders from Anderson Creek Troop 94, his parents, friends and volunteers from Jenkins’ church selflessly donated their time to help make his project a reality.

Smith noticed Jenkins’ quiet demeanor disappeared.

“He went from ‘shy Isaiah’ to ‘I’m running the show,’” Smith said. “He was a hard-nosed boss … determined. He made sure everyone knew where they were supposed to be, made sure everyone knew their job and made sure they were all hydrated.

“Most of the adults, after we helped started to get things rolling, we began to step back and let the younger scouts and younger kids work on the project. It was fantastic, well organized and done properly.”

The workers, 53 in all, needed three Saturdays to build the coop.

Jenkins painted the doors red on a Wednesday evening.

“To them it is an Eagle Scout project, but it means more to us because it gives us an opportunity to house animals on site and give them a good living environment that will probably last for at least the next 10 years or longer,” Smith said.

Jenkins is now waiting for Boy Scouts of America to review his application for Eagle Scout and looks forward to claiming the highest honor in scouting.

“It took quite a while to build, but I think it turned out really great,” Jenkins said. “Once I led, I was really happy because I had never done something like this before. It shows me I can get things done if I really put my mind to it.”

Rudy Coggins can be reached at rcoggins@mountolivetribune.com.

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