April 6, 2003 – Braving a threatening rainstorm on Saturday morning, Mt. Zion Church of God Boy Scout Troop 62 turned out to claim a tiny spot of St. Thomas as their very own — the bus stop east of the Legislature Building.
Looking quite pleased with their new status, eight scouts listened attentively as clergy, Anti-Litter and Beautification Commission officers and a senator explained the responsibility of the Adopt-A-Spot program.
Sen. Louis Hill stressed the importance of belonging to the community. "This island is your island," he said, "and this world is your world. It is God's world, and we are here to take care of it."
Scout leader Grace Harrison told the youngsters one thing they will be doing is planting a palm tree at the site. "Then," she said, "when you return from college, you can look at it and feel proud."
Harrison pointed out that the scouts had already started working on their beautification project. The grass in back of the bus stop has been neatly trimmed, and a bright green bench has been installed.
Edwin Davis, ALBC chair, and Cordell Jacobs, the commission's executive director, said the bus stop is in for a cultural change, too. Jacobs said the current structure is generic. "It could be in LAX [Los Angeles] or Chicago," he said. "We want to give it West Indian flavor."
Davis said he envisions a look similar to the bus stop on the St. Croix campus of the University of the Virgin Islands. "It will have some color and a little gingerbread," he said.
Harrison said the scouts will work on their project after school and on weekends. Davis told the youngsters: "It's yours now; it'll be yours always."
At the end of Saturday's ceremony, the youngsters erected a tall white sign claiming responsibility for the area. It reads "Adopt-A-Spot, Boy Scouts of America Troop and Pack 62, Zion Church of God."
Davis made a plea to others in the community to become adopters, too. "Please," he said, "if you see a blighted area that needs care, call us." The number is 777-3073.
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