RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — With the help of the community and fellow Boy Scouts, 15-year-old Chris Qian is one step closer to achieving his Eagle Scout rank – the highest rank a Boy Scout can earn.
Inspired to give back to his teachers and peers, Qian dedicated his eagle project to spruce up different areas of Maggie Walker Governor’s School.
“This is really like the capstone of my scouting journey,” said Qian.
Qian said his three-part eagle project took six months to plan.
“I knew that I wanted to do something at the school, because I really love the school,” said Qian.
After becoming a Cub Scout in the second grade, Qian knew he’d be in it for the long haul. Each scouting badge clipped to his sash is a reminder of all the work he’s put in.
“This has been at the forefront of my mind and has been like my motivating factor to stick through it,” said Qian.
The first part of the project was building shelves for the band and orchestra room, which were needed to help with organization. The finished shelves now run continuously through the back of the classroom and are high enough from the ground to store things under them. The shelves will also give the performing arts department space for new equipment.
Finished shelves in the band and orchestra classroom.
“I’ve been playing violin for seven years now and orchestra has been a big part of my life, so this is a great way to give back,” said Qian.
The second part of the project was building a wall of fame. The extra wall room will allow students to connect with their school and its history.
Finished Wall of Fame.
And the third part of the project was landscaping part of the school’s front entrance. Qian said students pass through the courtyard and front entrance every day, so the landscaping will significantly improve student life.
Finished landscaping in the front entrance.
Qian was able to purchase all the needed materials by selling Chinese food for the Organization of Chinese Americans, along with help from Lowes, who provided him with some free supplies.
One of the challenges Qian said he faced during the project was working on a tight deadline because of rain.
“Although the weather during the beginning of the day was perfect, towards the end, we needed to pick up the pace,” said Qian.
The project took eight hours to complete and Qian says it wouldn’t have been possible without his troop mates and other volunteers.
“I’ve known [Qian] since about third grade from another friend, and he’s done a lot of work to get to Eagle [Scout],” said longtime friend and troop mate Cooper Huffman.
As for Qian’s Eagle Scout rank status, his teachers at Maggie Walker Governor’s School loved the project and approved the remaining paperwork. Additionally, he donated the nearly $400 to Maggie Walker’s Music Department.
Qian is 99% of the way to achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. All he has left to accomplish is setting up an interview with the Eagle Scout Committee to get his rank approved.
“I definitely want to be someone that people can look up to and the like,” said Qian. “My peers and students younger than me can see and follow my footsteps as well.”
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — With the help of the community and fellow Boy Scouts, 15-year-old Chris Qian is one step closer to achieving his Eagle Scout rank – the highest rank a Boy Scout can earn.
Inspired to give back to his teachers and peers, Qian dedicated his eagle project to spruce up different areas of Maggie Walker Governor’s School.
“This is really like the capstone of my scouting journey,” said Qian.
Qian said his three-part eagle project took six months to plan.
“I knew that I wanted to do something at the school, because I really love the school,” said Qian.
After becoming a Cub Scout in the second grade, Qian knew he’d be in it for the long haul. Each scouting badge clipped to his sash is a reminder of all the work he’s put in.
“This has been at the forefront of my mind and has been like my motivating factor to stick through it,” said Qian.
The first part of the project was building shelves for the band and orchestra room, which were needed to help with organization. The finished shelves now run continuously through the back of the classroom and are high enough from the ground to store things under them. The shelves will also give the performing arts department space for new equipment.
Finished shelves in the band and orchestra classroom.
“I’ve been playing violin for seven years now and orchestra has been a big part of my life, so this is a great way to give back,” said Qian.
The second part of the project was building a wall of fame. The extra wall room will allow students to connect with their school and its history.
Finished Wall of Fame.
And the third part of the project was landscaping part of the school’s front entrance. Qian said students pass through the courtyard and front entrance every day, so the landscaping will significantly improve student life.
Finished landscaping in the front entrance.
Qian was able to purchase all the needed materials by selling Chinese food for the Organization of Chinese Americans, along with help from Lowes, who provided him with some free supplies.
One of the challenges Qian said he faced during the project was working on a tight deadline because of rain.
“Although the weather during the beginning of the day was perfect, towards the end, we needed to pick up the pace,” said Qian.
The project took eight hours to complete and Qian says it wouldn’t have been possible without his troop mates and other volunteers.
“I’ve known [Qian] since about third grade from another friend, and he’s done a lot of work to get to Eagle [Scout],” said longtime friend and troop mate Cooper Huffman.
As for Qian’s Eagle Scout rank status, his teachers at Maggie Walker Governor’s School loved the project and approved the remaining paperwork. Additionally, he donated the nearly $400 to Maggie Walker’s Music Department.
Qian is 99% of the way to achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. All he has left to accomplish is setting up an interview with the Eagle Scout Committee to get his rank approved.
“I definitely want to be someone that people can look up to and the like,” said Qian. “My peers and students younger than me can see and follow my footsteps as well.”