Meridian High School Student on Track to Earn Eagle Award

Falls Church City, VA -- Local Boy Scout Emmanuel Pinedo Rasdall this week delivered a new conductor’s podium to Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School that he and other scouts hand-built in recent weeks. Rasdall presented the podium in a ceremony on Wednesday to Jonathan Mills, a music teacher at Mary Ellen Henderson Middle School.

"The podium looks beautiful, I can't wait to use it,” Mills said. “The craftsmanship shows a great attention to detail, with a classy and professional finish,” he added. “As we prepare for our band concerts, I remind the students that proper stage presence shows respect for all of the hard work they’ve invested and respect for their audience. The podium will also help students understand the importance of personal pride and presenting a polished and professional appearance in front of others.”

Rasdall, 15, led construction of the podium as part of work he is doing to earn his Eagle Scout Award, the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank. To earn the award, each candidate must earn 22 merit badges and successfully complete a community, church, or synagogue-related service project. Only about 6 percent of all eligible boy scouts earn the distinction, according to a national scouting publication.

A sophomore at Meridian High School, Rasdall played trumpet in Mills’ middle-school music class and band and now plays at the high school level. “Mr. Mills taught me a lot, so I wanted to give back to him,” he said. Until now, Mills has either borrowed a conductor’s podium from the high school or cobbled together shelves to create his own podium, Rasdall said. “I wanted to get him something that … looks more professional.”

Approximately 14 scouts constructed the podium this summer and fall under the direction of Rasdall and adult supervisors affiliated with Boy Scout Troop 1996 of Falls Church City. The project involved roughly 20 hours of work sessions to complete, with multiple students per session, and significant preparation time. All told, it cost about $700, Rasdall said, noting that he raised money for the project from family and friends and also drew on his own savings.

Rasdall also plays on Meridian’s varsity football team and its junior varsity soccer team and is active at Columbia Baptist Church in Falls Church. He is the son of Becky Rasdall and Alex Pinedo.

Boy Scouts of America Troop 1996 serves youth in Falls Church City and surrounding areas and is sponsored by the National Sherriff’s Association. The troop counts more than 30 youth as members and welcomes all interested in scouting.

“I first met Emmanuel Rasdall when he joined the Cub Scouts in 2013,” Troop 1996 Scoutmaster Wayne Casey said. “Over the years, he has been an active and enthusiastic participant in scouts. It has been my distinct honor to get to know him and watch him become an impressive young man. His Eagle project, this fine band podium, reflects both his commitment to the Mary Ellen Henderson band and to contribute something lasting to the community of Falls Church. I know I speak for all of Troop 1996 when I congratulate Emmanuel on a job well done!”