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Shepaug Valley senior rebuilds shot-put pit for athletes as capstone project
Summary
Senior Ryan Saillon described rebuilding the school shot-put pit—excavating, adding stone dust and drainage, and planning a perimeter—crediting volunteer landscaper Connor Dusky and a $500 Senior Project Fund grant; installation is weather-dependent and must meet CIAC guidelines.
Seventeen-year-old senior Ryan Saillon told the Shepaug Valley Regional School District 12 board on March 23 that he has nearly completed a senior project to renovate the school’s shot-put pit, aiming to improve drainage and athlete safety.
"The shot put pit was very old. It was lacking technology... It was practically a mud pit," Saillon said, describing why he chose the project. He said he excavated about a foot of material, added gravel and stone dust commonly used for pits, and used a 360° laser device to level the area after discovering the site was uneven.
Saillon credited volunteer contractor Connor Dusky of Dusky Landscaping and Estate Care for providing excavation equipment and helping with construction; he said Dusky paid for some materials which Saillon intends to reimburse. Saillon also reported receiving a $500 grant from the Shepaug Senior Project Fund and said he planned a meeting with National Iron Bank contacts to solicit further donations to cover remaining costs.
Board members asked about timing and compliance. Saillon said track season had already started, but wet weather and the need to install a wooden perimeter on a dry surface — required to meet CIAC athletic guidelines for perimeters — are delaying final work. He said the remaining major task is installing 14‑ft. wood beams for the perimeter when conditions allow.
Board members praised Saillon’s initiative and the volunteer contributions; the board invited more seniors to share short presentations of their projects at upcoming meetings.
Saillon said he expects to finish perimeter installation once dry weather returns and will present the completed project at his senior presentation date.
