After the recent tragic passing of an Avalon School sophomore, the students, faculty and staff of the all-boys K-12 Catholic school in Wheaton, came together to pray for the repose of his soul and for his grieving family at the school’s new Mary Garden. The sacred outdoor space served as a gathering point, helping to bring comfort and consolation to his heartbroken classmates and teachers.
Last year, Avalon student Frank Haley, a member of the class of 2023, hoping to give back to his high school, approached the faculty about performing a community service project to attain the Eagle rank, the Boy Scouts’ highest honor. Immediately, the idea came to mind of improving an existing patch of green where a Blessed Mother statue stood, adjacent to school’s rear entrance.
During the summer of 2022, Haley and a crew of Boy Scout volunteers worked arduously to completely redesign and refurbish the area, installing a beautiful new Mary statue, plants, flowers, shrubbery, decorative rocks, as well as updating the landscaping and adding a new brick patio, fence, and bench.
This now-hallowed corner of the Avalon campus – located on the grounds of St. Catherine Laboure Parish - took on an added meaning in late April, which will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of the entire school community.
“We prayed a rosary that day in that spot. When I saw I saw a photo taken by (Mrs. Charmie Vince, advancement director), you could see this fog on top of everyone at that moment. It felt like the Holy Spirit and Mary were right there in the midst of us,” Haley said. “(Mrs. Vince) later told me ‘This was the purpose of your project,’ and that made me feel comforted.”
A native of Silver Spring, Haley, 18, grew up as a member of St. Bernadette Parish, Silver Spring, along with his parents, Peter and Sharon, and his six siblings. He was homeschooled for most of his elementary school years, but when it came time for high school, Haley knew he wanted to be in a strong Catholic environment and continue to play team sports. Avalon with its smaller class size and tight-knit community was the perfect school for Haley, who went on to play varsity baseball and basketball for Avalon.
Reflecting on his time at Avalon on his last day of high school, Haley said most importantly his lifelong Catholic faith changed for the better during the past four years.
“I definitely grew more in my faith here, especially through my high school classes with (Avalon headmaster) Mr. (Kevin) Davern, who teaches apologetics. He knows a lot and is a great role model. It was always fascinating to hear what he has to say,” said Haley.
In turn, Davern praised Haley for his active participation in the life of the school, especially in Avalon’s traditional events, such as the festival days, which includes individual poetry recitation, as well as the annual gala and playing on the baseball and basketball teams. “Most importantly, though, Frank works with a strong effort on a daily basis and is a good friend to his peers,” Davern said.
Another major aspect of Haley’s life has been Boy Scouts of America, a family tradition which he has long participated in with his dad and three brothers. Scouting, said Haley, is not only about camping and other outdoor activities, but he said his involvement in the organization - whose motto is “Be Prepared,” and its members’ allegiance to God, country, duty to others and self - laid a strong foundation of good habits and personal responsibility in his life.
“It’s been a lot of fun. All the Scout masters have been great examples who taught us about life and gave us life lessons,” he said, adding that his experience as a Scout and Scout leader have helped him improve in public speaking and organizational skills. The Eagle Scout rank is an exceptionally difficult challenge, with several requirements that can take many years. Only about five percent of all Scouts who join ever reach the prestigious honor.
Haley is proud to have attained the rare achievement, but said he views it more as a joyful culmination of his many years in the Boy Scouts and was not a singular goal he set out to achieve by a certain date.
“Eagle is the end, but it’s so much more than checking the boxes. It’s the experience. Even if I didn’t make it, I still would have been happy and learned a lot,” he said.
In the fall, he will be attending the University of Maryland, College Park and plans to major in mechanical engineering. Haley said he looks forward to becoming involved in the university’s Catholic Student Center.
As he prepares to graduate on May 26, Haley said he is pleased the Eagle Scout project will leave a lasting legacy on the Avalon campus that honors Our Lady and reminds those who seek a quiet place of prayer of God’s presence in the world.
“I definitely think (building the Mary Garden) will help people see the beauty in the world that God put here for us and God’s care for them,” Haley said.
