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Girl Scouts refurbish Dale Askeith Memorial Art Courtyard at Starpoint High School
Summary
Girl Scout Troop 70209 presented a Silver Award project to restore the Dale Askeith Memorial Art Courtyard: sanding and repainting benches and tables, painting rocks, building a weatherproof sign, and weed control; the board praised the work and thanked donors and custodians.
Kelly Tomasello, an art teacher at Starpoint High School, described the history and daily instructional use of the Dale Askeith Memorial Art Courtyard, which was created in 2006 as a memorial and outdoor classroom. Tomasello read excerpts from an essay by Dale and recounted how local businesses and volunteers originally donated time and materials to build the courtyard.
Girl Scout Troop 70209 told the board they undertook a Silver Award project — each scout contributing 50 hours — to make the courtyard sustainable. The troop described sanding, repainting benches and tables, sealing painted rocks with waterproof spray, dismantling and re-siting rocks in the garden, and erecting a whimsical sign set in concrete for longevity. The troop thanked donors including Leo Brennan and a local accounting firm for material donations and noted custodial staff support.
Tomasello and several board members said the courtyard is used by art classes year-round and called the scouts’ work a meaningful way to preserve Dale Askeith’s legacy. A board member praised the students for "taking a personal tragedy and turning it into something positive." The board invited the students to remain for photos and asked staff to include images in follow-up materials.
No formal vote or funding action was taken; the presentation was acknowledged and the board extended thanks to the Girl Scouts and volunteers.
