Eighth-grader renovates sign for school

Zach Turner saw something that needed fixing and did something about it.

Turner, an eighth-grader at East Valley Middle School, noticed that the badly weathered school sign needed a makeover. Zach pointed it out to his father, Rick Turner. “It was mainly my idea to make it look better,” said Zach.

Zach, with a little help from his father, went to work and transformed the battered 2-by-8-foot sign into an impressive blue beacon that greets arrivals.

It took more than three weeks to complete. The job included sanding, applying three coats of primer and painting. Zach mixed sawdust with wood glue to create putty to fill in holes and dents.

Zach, 13, enjoys woodworking after school in his family’s garage, where he has built birdhouses and shelves. Woodshop is his favorite class. He is a good student and does well in his other classes, keeping up with his two older brothers, who are 4.0 students.

“He’s very disciplined,” said his father, “He starts his homework right away and then goes over it. He has read every book ever written about Mount Everest. He’s interested in the concept of man versus nature and pushing it to the limit. I’m proud to be his parent. He’s thoughtful and quiet and tries to be the best that he possibly can.”

Assistant Principal Kyle Rydell agreed. “He’s a great kid who works hard. He’s a silent leader … leads by example.”

Zach has won trophies for racing dirt bikes and in soccer and baseball. He also plays football and enjoys many outdoor activities including fishing, hiking and rock climbing.

“Although I participate in several activities, school is my number one focus – especially going into high school next year,” he said.

He plans on going to college and then working for the Department of Fish and Wildlife or possibly becoming a park ranger.

“I will continue to do the best that I can,” he said, and he urged others to “keep on trying and don’t give up no matter what anyone says.”