Scout's honor

Roy Raas knew young athletes loved to leap across a crumbling wall at Trinity United Methodist Church to shoot hoops in the parking lot.

Roy, a senior at Cibola High School, wanted to make the facilities more secure.

So he took on the project of repairing the worn stucco surface of the church wall to earn his Eagle Scout rank, Scouting's most coveted honor.

"I knew people in the neighborhood jumped over the wall all the time and I wanted to make it safer. So we decided we could make sure kids would no longer tear themselves up when they went over the wall."

But first Roy had to summon the organizational skills he cultivated from more than 8-1/2 years of Scouting to complete the project. He assembled a crew of 25 people, including some Scouts, plus many Trinity Church members both young and grown.

"It was my responsibility to direct them, show leadership qualities by showing them how to get done what needed to be repaired, and then lead them in the actual construction process."

The project included resurfacing the stucco wall and replacing the basketball backboard and hoop. The project required 278 hours to complete.

Roy says he is pleased with the way it turned out, but if he had another chance he would have preferred to paint the wall a more solid color.

He stressed that Scouting offers great programs that have taught him everything from emergency preparedness skills to wilderness survival skills.

"We have what we call the Scout Law. It's basically principles, but once you learn them you never forget them."

And for the commendable manner in which he completed his task, Roy was awarded his Eagle rank at the First United Methodist Church on Dec. 5. Mayor Larry Nelson told Roy he will remain an Eagle Scout for life and presented him with a Mayor's Coin.

"I would tell any younger kid to join the Scouts," Roy said. "It teaches you different skills you want to have and can use when you go into the work force. Also, there's endless merit badges you can earn for any interest you may have."

Roy says he is interested in studying computer engineering at DeVry University in Phoenix. But eventually he would like to write screenplays, he said.

"I'd like to see movies with a different type of hero, as opposed to the the hero who comes to save the day. I'd like someone with a darker background, an underdog, someone who's capable of overcoming all odds against him."  

Sherri Kelley, Roy's mother, says her son has accomplished all his successes with patience and determination.

"The Boy Scouts have given him opportunities to be around men concerned with community and church," Kelley said.

Kelley added that Roy is now the sort of person who, if he saw anyone struggling with a task, would stop and offer his help. She said Roy has been aware of integrity, honesty and consideration all his life; because of Scouting, he now truly knows the importance of those qualities. And the Boy Scouts have provided him a way to chart a course in his life, even if it does not go exactly according to plan, she said.

"He'd like to publish a book. He's been writing one on computers since he was 14. And he'd like to do something to benefit other people. But he told us since he was 10 he wanted to be an Eagle Scout."

Bill Rhodes, scoutmaster of Troop 53, has known Roy since he was 11 and said he has performed exceptionally well.

"I have every confidence he'll make good choices in life," Rhodes said. "He's already decided to stay on with the troop as assistant scoutmaster. The seeds have been planted and hopefully the knowledge he's gained in Scouts will guide him the rest of his life. Scouting is the best youth training there is."

William Roller can be reached at wroller@yumasun.com or 539-6858.