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Boy Scout raises funds for sculpture
Published 7/26/2010 in Local News
By SHAJIA AHMAD
The windmill and cattle in the black and white illustration represent Finney County's beef and farming industry, and the train symbolizes the longstanding presence of the railroad, a vital part of the area's growth over the last few centuries.
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Brad Nading/Telegram Ryan Steel, 14, is shown with a rough drawing of a sculpture he is working at having prepared for the south entrance to Garden City as a Boy Scout project for his Eagle rank.
"It all symbolizes how the community got started," according to Ryan Steel, who carries the illustration in his binder to keep it crisp and clean.
For the past few months, the 14-year-old Boy Scout has been raising money to turn a small idea into something big that can be enjoyed by the entire community.
For his Eagle Scout project, Ryan has been raising funds for what he hopes will become a 8-feet high and 14-feet wide bronze sculpture at the south entrance to Garden City — an area that's recently undergone some beautification efforts by the city — by speaking with both local officials, area businesses and other community organizations to raise funds for the estimated $30,000 project.
"Sometimes I get nervous that I'll say something wrong or make a fool of myself," Steel said. "But for my project, I want to get the whole city involved, so more people take part, and it makes the city look a lot better."
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America and requirements include earning at least 21 merit badges and completing an extensive service project that the scout plans, organizes, leads and manages, and that he must finish before he's 18.
Already, Steel's raised about $1,000 for the beautification project, one that fits in line with the city's comprehensive plan, and has presented his idea to both city and county commissions, taking charge on his own to raise funds for what he hope will be a bronze art piece that can be seen by both incoming and outgoing travelers to Garden City.
Earlier this month, Steel presented his endeavor to county commissioners during a public meeting, during which he made a case for some fiscal support for the beautification project.
Though commissioners said they were reluctant to help financially with the project, Finney County Commissioner Dave Jones said he greatly applauded Ryan's efforts and initiative.
"Unfortunately, it's difficult if not almost impossible to use public funds for a private enterprise," Jones said in a separate interview. "It would put us in a tough spot to help fund the project with taxpayer funds. But he needs to be encouraged, and those who can help as individuals on private basis, I would encourage them to do so. In fact, I'd be inclined to do so myself."
Projects with the community in mind aren't a first for the family. Ryan also is following in his older brother Lane's footsteps.
Lane, now 18 and in college, proposed renaming a block of Pine Street near Stevens Park in the memory of veterans in late 2007.
The project took three to four months to complete and involved attending city commission meetings and working with commissioners for a change in ordinance.
Today, the blue sign naming Heroes Way memorializes all veterans.
Ryan's parents, Matt and Michelle Steel, said that as parents, it's exciting to see their son get excited about the endeavor. The idea behind the project is that it should benefit others, his mother said, and that he should show leadership qualities, according to his father.
"As a mom, watching him get excited about the project is exciting for me," Michelle said. "Everyone so far has been incredibly generous, and watching him come away with a big smile is encouraging."
If his project does come to fruition — and he's determined it will — Ryan said he'd be proud of his efforts.
"It'll make me happy to know I've done something for the community, that I did my best and got others involved," he said.
But is it cooler than his older brother's project? Maybe. Maybe not.
"Yeah, there's a little competition within the family," Ryan admitted and laughed.
INFOBOX
Ryan Steel is still looking for help with his Eagle Scout project. To contact him, call 276-8706 or e-mail him at rsteel95@gmail.com.
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