Ryker joined Troop Seventeen in October of 1998 after earning his Arrow of Light in Cub Scout Pack 489 at Conway Elementary School.
Ryker later earned the troop’s Cub Service Award when he served as a Den Chief for the Cub Pack at Reed School and he later completed the St. Louis Area Council’s Junior Leadership Training Camp. Ryker also participated as a member of a Moose Patrol camporee Honor Patrol and is a member of the Bakers, Troop Seventeen’s unique organization for older scouts.
At summer camp in 2000, Ryker was elected by his fellow campers into the Order of the Arrow, scouting’s national society for honor campers — the first year he was eligible. Ryker has attended summer camp seven years — every year he has been in the troop.
In 2005, when Ryker was elected Crew Leader by the other scouts of their Philmont contingent, Ryker set an excellent example, taking responsibility and doing an outstanding job. The younger members respected and looked up to him. He utilized the strengths of his crew members and rotated the jobs to be done in a fair manner. He stepped in when he had to help resolve any personal conflicts and planned each day and plotted the routes. Through his knowledge of map reading and use of the compass, the group was never misdirected. He also made sure the crew fulfilled their religious requirements.
Helpfulness is a quality that Ryker has demonstrated consistently throughout his scouting career and he has served for several years in the troop’s leadership corps as an instructor for younger scouts.
For his Eagle service project, Ryker built and landscaped a garden for the Olivette Community Center.
For the last two years, Ryker has been the Quartermaster for Troop 17 and has done an excellent job of maintaining and organizing the troop equipment. He went on to be a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster.
On the athletic field, Ryker played football at Ladue High School for three years — setting an example for the younger players through his hustle and hard work ethic. In football, he has earned two JV letters, a varsity letter, and was recognized three times for the all-academic team. He also earned a JV letter as a sprinter in Track and Field.
Academically, Ryker has been on the honor roll his sophomore, junior, and senior years.
Ryker also earned numerous other academic awards in high school — starting with an award in excellence for computer applications in the tenth grade and in entrepreneurship in the 11th grade. Then he earned a first place award in a film competition by making a 30 second commercial encouraging people to clean up trash in their community.
Ryker served as a volunteer for “Rebuilding Together”, an organization similar to Habitat for Humanity. He also volunteered for “Sports Trivia Night,” which raises money for the St. Patrick Center.
Ryker also participated in the Pottery Club, Ladue DECA, and Junior Achievement and worked as a sales associate at Brookstone.
Ryker, was accepted at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois with plans to major in business administration with a focus on legal studies.
Ryker Bornfleth —
Order of the Arrow… Baker… Honor Patrol… Scholar… Community Volunteer… Athlete… Eagle Scout
TROOP SEVENTEEN IS MIGHTY PROUD OF RYKER BORNFLETH