Mackenzie Brubaker and Principal Marc Aden stand next to the picnic table and benches that Mackenzie made by hand and donated to two elementary schools.
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Students at Fairfax and Canterbury Elementary Schools have new, sturdy handmade picnic tables and benches thanks to the generosity of Heights High graduate Mackenzie Brubaker. Mackenzie, who graduated on June 2, attended R.E.A.L. School (Relevant, Experiential, Active, Learning), one of the five Small Schools at Heights High, and plans to go into the U.S. Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corp). He will be a second lieutenant when he completes training.

Mackenzie has been in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts since first grade, and built the picnic benches and tables as a project towards his Eagle Scout rank. He reported the specs of the project, the materials used, and how the project benefits the community to the Boy Scout Council. If his project is accepted, he will receive his Eagle Scout rank at the Court of Honor Ceremony this summer.

Mackenzie learned his carpentry skills from his father and based the design for the tables and benches on one his father had built before he was born. Using his math and science skills he modified the design, lengthened the tables and benches, and made the pieces extra sturdy so they would withstand lots of use by the elementary students.

"R.E.A.L. School was a perfect fit for me because I enjoy hands on learning," Mackenzie explained. Marc Aden, principal of R.E.A.L. School, agreed. The small school combines experiential learning in the community with meaningful, relevant learning experiences in the classroom.

"R.E.A.L. incorporates service learning projects and collaboration with adults to solve real world challenges and concerns,” Mr. Aden explained. He gave an example of one student who wanted to go into crime scene investigation and made a connection with the county coroner for a service project. “Service learning projects allow students to connect what they are learning in class to real career experiences,” he said. Mackenzie’s project combined what he was learning in math and science with his carpentry and design skills. “Many of our students have entrepreneurial minds combined with strong reading and writing skills as well as parents that have their own business,” said Mr. Aden.

Mr. Aden described Mackenzie as an outstanding, concientious student in thought and action who is always willing to help others. "He will definitely leave a positive mark on the community."

Lita Gonzalez, a long time community volunteer, lives in Cleveland Heights with her husband Mark. Both her daughters are Heights High graduates.