Aquinas' John Griffith builds Marian grotto to earn Eagle Scout

A wooden Marian grotto now graces the hillside overlooking Dolan Field at Aquinas Academy in Gibsonia.

The simple shrine to the Virgin Mary was built by junior John Griffith, 17, who worked for six weeks on the project to earn his rank as Eagle Scout – the highest achievement in Boy Scouts.

“To know that those years of hard work (in scouting) culminated in a finished grotto gives me a sense of accomplishment and also gratitude for those who helped me along the way,” said Griffith, of Wexford.

A member of Troop 171 in Ingomar, Griffith said he originally considered a project at North Park but really wanted to leave an imprint on his school.

While many Marian grottos are made of stone, the teen decided on wood to simplify the structure and spotlight the Virgin Mary.

“The structure is no less robust than concrete,” he said. “The posts are solidified in concrete.”

Classmate Maria Figucia painted the statue to restore its colors, making the bright blue stand out conspicuously against the background of Dolan Field, Griffith said.

He had help from others, too, with more than two dozen friends, Aquinas faculty, family and troop members pitching in to help with construction.

“I am grateful for all who helped, especially my project Coach Al Monteverde and my parents, who financially supported the project and spent a lot of time helping me see it through its completion,” Griffith said.

Mike Burchill, assistant head of school, said the statue housed in her simple yet attractive grotto is a quiet reminder to the school community of its values and also gives the athletic field a sense of warmth and protection from above.

“John is an outstanding young man and we are grateful that he chose Aquinas for his Eagle Scout project and for the hard work that he and his team put in,” Burchill said. “The grotto will be a blessing to Aquinas students for many years to come and is a tribute to John whose presence at school has been a blessing for us all.”