Boy Scout beautifies elementary school

For six years, Seaford Manor School was Ryan Fjellstad’s second home. Now he’s a senior in high school and giving back to the place that gave him his start in education.

Last weekend, Fjellstad spearheaded a project to beautify the grounds of the Manor School. The 16-year-old Boy Scout from Seaford Troop 239 completed a community service project so he can earn his Eagle rank. He and a group of volunteers built a garden and rebuilt aging picnic tables.

On Oct. 18 and 19, Fjellstad was joined by fellow scouts, friends, family members and scout leaders. The two-day project was the culmination of several months of planning. During that time, he had to raise money for the supplies by holding garage sales, returning bottles, and seeking donations from family members and local businesses. In total, he collected about $1,200 which was used to purchase flowers, plants, mulch, wood and other materials.

Fjellstad said he got the idea for the project when he was walking along the south side of the school and noticed that the tables and benches were in disrepair. He wanted to make the area more inviting for Seaford residents. To get more scouts involved in the project, he expanded his plans to include a garden between the west and center wings.

For the garden, Fjellstad’s volunteers had to dig up a patch of grass about 50 feet long. They then put down mulch and planted flowers, in addition to bulbs that would bloom after the winter. His adult volunteers worked the power tools to rebuild six tables.

Before he could begin, Fjellstad approached the district’s head groundskeeper with his idea, and he had to go to a Board of Education meeting for approval. Over the years, many Boy Scouts have completed projects for the Seaford School District.

“It feels great,” Fjellstad said. “It feels like I’m doing a lot for the Seaford community.”

"The students were so excited to see the new benches and beautiful landscaping when they went out for recess," said Manor Principal Debra Emmerich. "Many of our students spent their recess period sitting and talking to their friends at the benches, rather than playing on the playground as they usually love to do. We would like to thank Ryan Fjellstad for the wonderful job he did enhancing the Manor School."

Fjellstad was in charge of supervising a group of more than 20 volunteers last weekend. He has helped other Seaford Eagle Scouts with their projects, and many of them were part of his crew. Before he can earn Boy Scouting’s highest honor, Fjellstad must complete some paperwork, earn one more merit badge, and appear before and Eagle Board of Review. He is hoping for a Court of Honor Ceremony next year.

Eagle Scout has been a long-time goal for Fjellstad. “Everyone says it’s a great thing to do because it helps you throughout life,” he said.

He would be the first person in his family to earn the Eagle rank. His younger brother, Casey, is also in the scouts and wants to attain the rank.

Jim Hayden, the scoutmaster of Troop 239, said the purpose of an Eagle project is to provide a benefit to the community. Fjellstad’s project, he explained, certainly meets that qualification. “I thought this was a very good project,” Hayden said. “It’s a way of giving back to the school district, especially since he’s a resident of Seaford and he’s been through this school.”

Hayden added that the community service project is an opportunity for a Scout to demonstrate leadership skills.

“It’s helping them to develop their character as a person, to think on their own, problem solve,” he said. “I truly believe this will help them in their future years.”

Fjellstad said that he wants to be a role model for younger scouts and all children in Seaford. He hopes that his project will serve as a visible reminder of the importance of helping one’s community.