Joe Drapeau, a senior at Merrillville High School and member of Boy Scout Troop #988 in Hebron, recently took the last step to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout by completing his final project for Opportunity Enterprises. Rather than build something for OE, Joe decided to use his musical talents to perform two concerts – one at OE’s Lakeside facility and one at its main facility – for the clients served by the organization.
Joe’s concerts, which took place this past October, included a variety of vocal and instrumental performances by Joe and his friends and family. The choice to do concerts for his Eagle Scout project was an easy one for Joe because music has been an important part of his life for many years, and he welcomed the opportunity to share his love of music with others.
“The time that music became a much larger part of my life was first in 6th grade as band became an option to me,” shares Joe. “The excitement that ignited within me when I first heard them play in 5th grade seemed to grab me by the collar and hold my focus. Music is such a blessing in my life. The comfort, joy, and happiness music brings me in hard times is invaluable.”
Simply loving music was certainly vital to the success of his project, but pulling together two separate performances at two different locations with a variety of musical selections, instruments, performers, and equipment was no easy task. To make things even more difficult, one week before his first concert, one of Joe’s closest friends passed away unexpectedly.
“There was barely time to grieve with school, my project, and college applications – life kept moving on,” shares Joe. “Having to get to work so quickly when all I wanted to do was cry for a week was hard. I was constantly on my knees praying for guidance throughout this project.”
Despite the hardships he faced, Joe pulled the concerts together, and they were a huge hit with the OE clients, who danced, sang, and clapped along with the music. Their reaction made all of Joe’s hard work worth it.
“Seeing them so happy and excited was so pleasing and uplifting at the same time that I couldn’t help but smile,” said Joe.
Bringing joy to other people is exactly what Joe wanted to accomplish, and is something he has learned in his many years of scouting. “I believe the true purpose of scouting isn’t about getting your Eagle Scout, merit badges, or awards,” says Joe. “Scouting is about fulfilling your potential and becoming the very best you can be to better help others.”
Joe intends to continue to live out these lessons after high school, when he will serve for two years as a missionary through the Mormon church. He also plans to start college the summer after he graduates from high school, eventually getting his degree from Purdue University or Brigham Young University in aeronautical engineering.
“I’ll live my life by serving Christ, giving my family the best life they can have, and helping those in need,” shares Joe. “Life isn’t about focusing on myself. It is to learn to think less about myself and more about the needs of others.”
“Joe was very thorough and detailed as he prepared for the concerts. They were a resounding success and much enjoyed by our consumers and staff,” shared Cathy Kuchenmeister, Volunteer & Intern Coordinator at Opportunity Enterprises. Boy Scouts interested in completing an Eagle Scout project with OE may contact Kuchenmeister at 219-464-9621 ext 283, or cathy.kuchenmeister@oppent.org.
Since 1967, OE has been a non-profit organization which creates sustainable life choices and opportunities for individuals with unique challenges and abilities. Today, OE serves 1,100 adults and children with disabilities in Porter County and throughout Northwest Indiana. For more information, visit www.oppent.org.
Photo: Joe Drapeau sings and plays guitar during one of the concerts he organized for the clients of Opportunity Enterprises