Cranston Life Scout chooses optimism after outdoor classroom is vandalized

CRANSTON, R.I. (WJAR) — An investigation is underway in Cranston after an outdoor classroom at St. Mary's School was vandalized.

Cranston police said someone spray-painted pentagrams on signs for the school and a completed Eagle Scout project.

According to police, the vandalism occurred between Friday afternoon and 8 a.m. Monday.

The outdoor classroom was created by a Life Scout, who says he isn't letting vandals stop his mission.

"[The outdoor classroom] was for the school kids to come out here, eat lunch, have class out here, pretty much do whatever," said Aidan Paplauskas, a Life Scout of Troop 6 in Cranston.

Paplauskas graduated from St. Mary's School last year. As a way to give back to the school that shaped him into the person he's become, he self-funded an outdoor classroom for future students to enjoy.

• MORE NEWS: Tennis Hall of Fame highlights accomplishments of black players with exhibits

But joy turned to quick action Monday when he learned someone vandalized the outdoor space.

"We came over, we fixed it up and it looks good as new," Paplauskas told NBC 10 News. "It means a lot. I think as a person, it's one of the best things you can do is to give back to your community."

Instead of getting upset, Paplauskas filed a police report and got to work fixing it up.

• MORE NEWS: Cranston man charged in Massachusetts road rage incident

Now, the classroom is looking as good as new while Cranston police work to find out who created the damage.

"I always believe it's best to be an optimist in situations, don't dwell on the negatives, keep pushing forward look for the positive and do your job, do what you have to do," Paplauskas said.