Ryan joined troop Seventeen in October of 1989 after an outstanding career in the Cub Scouts. During that time, for example, Ryan finished second in the district Pine Wood Derby two years in a row. Ryan then served as a Den Chief for Pack 803 for two years. 

Ryan ‘s first leadership position in the Troop was as the Assistant Patrol Leader of the Hawk Patrol where he served admirably before becoming the Patrol Leader in 1991. 

After two years in that position, Ryan was promoted to the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in April of 1993 — serving until December when he became senior Patrol Leader. As SPL, Ryan ran a good program and was known as someone who got things done — particularly by getting the older and bigger Scouts to respond to his leadership. 

For the last two and one half years, Ryan has been acting in the capacity of Head Baker, the elected president of Troop XVII’s unique older boys organization and he currently holds the office of Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.

Ryan is an avid camper and outdoorsman. As a vigorous participant in the Troop’s year-round camping program, Ryan has been to summer camp five years resulting in a distinct outdoor character to his elective merit badges such as Wilderness Survival, Orienteering, Astronomy, and Canoeing. 

In June of 1991, in recognition of his camping abilities, Ryan was inducted into the Order of the Arrow — a national society of Scout honor campers. Then, in 1992, Ryan finished first in the Troop’s annual summer camp Honor Camper contest and repeated the next year — a rare distinction in Seventeen’s long history. 

This summer Ryan will be exploring the 139,000 acre Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico with a contingent from the st. Louis Area Council.

Ryan is an excellent baritone saxophonist playing for both his high school marching and jazz bands. He was also selected to participate in the 1993 VP Honors Marching Band.

Ryan’s Eagle service project consisted of a major rebuilding of the fencing at a Day Care Center — a necessary measure they needed to ensure renewal of their state license.