‘We can do it.’ These Girl Scouts erected bus stop to keep fellow SISD students safe.
Updated: Sep 25, 2023
By Jessica Byrd
Special to Beneath the Surface News
When you think of Rosie the Riveter, you probably picture the iconic illustration from the WWII era that depicts the strong, valiant female worker flexing her muscles with the words “We Can Do It” stated boldly across the top.
These Rosies were courageous, breaking down barriers and proving, without a doubt, that women could do anything they set their minds to. Recently, Prime Metal Buildings & Components had the opportunity to help three Stephenville Girl Scouts carry on the legacy of the wartime Rosies.
Three years ago, Girl Scouts Abigail Collins, Kaidance Boyles and Marinna Medina discovered the largest SISD bus stop in town. It is the drop-off and pick-up location for an entire busload of children and lacked proper lighting and shelter from the weather.
The Girl Scouts recognized that the kids at this stop were in desperate need of a safe place to wait for the school bus and decided they would take on the task as their Silver Project.
The Girl Scouts Silver Award is the highest symbol of accomplishment that a Girl Scout Cadette can earn. It is accomplished by contributing 50+ hours towards a project that will benefit the community and promote self-growth.
"Our biggest challenge was contractors/builders saying no or backing out once they agreed to help us. We kept our chins up and talked to other people until God placed Prime & Caleb Jay in our path,” wrote Abigail, Kaidance and Marinna.
“Honestly, when the girls chose this project – I was skeptical because it was such a huge undertaking,” Troop leader Amanda Collins said.
“They contacted multiple contractors to ask for help and were told no, I was heartbroken and thought about suggesting they shift to another project. The girls kept on pushing to persevere to completion and proving me wrong. It has made me so proud to see what they could accomplish when they set their minds to it and work as a team.”
Prime provided the material for the metal structure, while Caleb Jay and Dan Hatfield helped the girls design and erect the building. Once the shelter was complete, the girls took it one step further, and added benches to the bus stop.
“The passion the girls had for this project was indisputable from the first time I spoke with their troop leader,” said Nicole Pierce, Prime’s director of marketing. “They were tenacious and had no quit in them which I really respected. I have no doubt that they were going to get this project done with or without us.
“Caleb Jay is a close family friend, so I gave him a call and asked him if he could help the girls with a drawing and a material list. He took the project and ran from there.”
Prime applauds these Girl Scouts’ selflessness and determination throughout this project. This is quite the accomplishment for these 9th graders who have proven, without a doubt, that they can in fact do anything they set their minds to.
A ribbon cutting for the new and improved bus stop will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 9 in front of the Riverwalk Townhomes, located at 1001 E Washington Street.
