After learning about Eudora’s historic Black cemetery in school, Aiden Mack wanted his Eagle Scout project to help improve a place that he thought could use more recognition
“I thought about how it was kind of neglected and that I passed it before, and could barely tell it was there,” he said. “So I felt like a sign would bring more awareness to the cemetery, since the cemetery has a very rich African American history.”
To bring more attention to the Southwest Cemetery at 1536 Cedar St., he worked with community members to craft a more visible sign with the cemetery’s name.
Mack discussed his idea with historical society and museum director Ben Terwilliger, and ultimately decided it was something he wanted to do.
Terwilliger was excited about the opportunity to shine more light on the cemetery, especially as research has been recently done on the number of unmarked graves.
“This sign is, I think, an important component to raising the visibility of the cemetery,” he said. “This is an important historical site and of course we’re thrilled that Aiden chose this as his project — we’re thrilled with it.”
Mack found some inspiration for the sign after seeing Prairie City Cemetery in Baldwin City.
Mack worked with Terwilliger on learning some historical information and then Mack picked a general design for the sign inspired by fonts on state park signs.
For help on the engraving, he contacted Troy Johnson, who is known throughout the area for his help with Eagle Scout projects.
Johnson, of Lenexa, is lead adviser in the Heart of America Council for the Order of the Arrow, an honor society for Scouts. The youth service organization teaches leadership and service.
Engraving is a hobby of his, so Johnson had the skills to make the sign possible. He estimates he’s helped with around 100 projects between his time as a Scoutmaster and as an adviser for Order of the Arrow.
It means a lot to him to be able to be able to help young people become good citizens and teach valuable skills, especially because Eagle Scout projects are a major undertaking.
“Aiden is a very selfless young man, and those are the best people to work with,” Johnson said.
Seeing the work completed has been a rewarding feeling, Mack said.
“It’s really nice to be able to see something that I accomplished and was able to do, and it’s also cool to see how the cemetery is more noticeable when you’re driving by now,” Mack said.
Mack also reached out for help from Ryon Sander, his pastor at Refuge Christian Church. Sander has a background in construction, so he was able to help pour cement for the sign’s posts.
Sander said Mack was professional throughout the process and wanted to make sure everything was done right.
“I think first it shows leadership skills, their ability to direct and manage. They act as a project manager through the entire process so it teaches them the basics of leadership, leading other people, and that’s a learning process for them as well,” he said.
Other members of the church and community also lent helping hands or financial support to help make this happen, Mack said.
Mack isn’t officially an Eagle Scout yet, but the project being completed gets him one step closer. He still has to do an interview process.
Seeing the project make it to its final form has been exciting for the historical society, Terwilliger said.
“I was very impressed with everything Aiden did and his tenacity to stick to this project and to create something that’s really valuable for the community,” he said.
Terwilliger said the historical society still has more planned for the location to help provide further context to its history. The plan is to have an informational kiosk about when the cemetery was established and the location of unmarked graves.
