Local Eagle Scout Raises Funds for Acoustic Panels

Daniel Longwell, a senior at Central High School and Eagle Scout of Troop 358 in Martinsburg, helped raise money for acoustic panels at the gymnasium at the Morrisons Cove Memorial Park building as part of his eagle scout project.

Through fundraising and donations, he was able to raise about $15,000, he said.

The cost of the panels was $12,000 and with the extra money they were able to buy safety gear, rent a U-Haul to store the panels, rented lifts to use for installation, and donated the rest that was left.

Longwell said the panels were installed on Monday, August 5 with the help of about 20 volunteers.

"It only took us one day to install the acoustic panels," he said. "We started in the morning and everything was done by the evening.

Being able to see the finished product makes everything worth it Longwell said.

"It was neat to see it done," he said. "During church on Sunday it was great to see it in action, it takes away from the echo."

Pastor Chris Garretson of Redefined Community Church which meets in the gym said he noticed a difference as well.

"After the installation of the panels, the echo problem has vastly improved," he said.

It will be helpful for the community as well, especially during the tournaments, and it will allow people to hear the speakers better, Garretson said.

Longwell led the acoustic panel project and did research on exactly what was needed for the gym, he said.

"We are super proud of him," Garretson said.

His father, Paul Longwell said his son really showed leadership while working on the project.

"He put a lot of work in over the year," he said. " The experience of planning and working with professionals will be great for his future career."