With school having just started classes late last month student safety, is of paramount importance to parents, educators and now active members throughout the community.

Justin Gay, 18, has lived in Elma for longer than 10 years and has recently, along with the City of Elma, worked to improve the safety of students as they go to and from school through his Eagle Scout Service Project.

Gay’s project consisted of raising $7,000 to install two school zone caution lights at the Elma Middle and High Schools school zone. The city kicked in more than half the required amount which left Gay to raise the remaining $2,500.

“It came to mind when we realized that people are driving too fast in the school zone,” Gay said in an email.

It took Gay one year to complete his project. He said the first step was to develop a proposal which he then took before the city council and school board for approval. Elma District Superintendent Kevin Acuff said the school board was unanimously in favor of the project.

“We felt it was very much needed and the fact that Justin made it part of his Eagle Project was just a tremendous help to the community,” Acuff said.

His project given approval, the next step was for Gay to fundraise throughout the community.

“I then went and fundraised the money around town,” he said. “I visited local businesses for donations and most were willing to donate. After the fundraiser, Jim Starks (Elma public works director) ordered the project.”

The lights were delivered after a 6-8 week wait and were installed about the time school commenced at the end of August.

“It was not as much work as I expected,” he said. “I thought I was going to have to physically install it but all I had to do was manage it. My favorite part of the project was getting it approved. The most challenging part of the project was raising the money because there were times I thought I was not going to be about to get enough money.”

Once his project was completed he felt a sense of accomplishment for contributing to the community.

“I feel like I had an actual impact on the community and it fills me with great gratitude,” Gay said.

He first got involved with the scouts at 10 years old as a Cub Scout.

“I stuck through Boy Scouts all the way through because I enjoy the program and I learned that becoming an Eagle Scout would help me in my future,” he said.

Gay, now an Eagle Scout with the completion of his project, said being an Eagle Scout is a testament to dedication and knowledge of the Scout Law.

“It shows that you’re trustworthy, loyal, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent,” Gay said. “I went through a long process to become an Eagle Scout. I had to earn 21 merit badges and complete an Eagle Project.”

With his Eagle Project completed Gay now is looking to the future.

“My plans for the future are to attend college and continue working,” he said. “I am not sure what I will major in but I will most likely major in information technology.”