Student of the Week: Draper Lee

In his quest to become an Eagle Scout, Draper Lee of Lynchburg searched many Central Virginia quarries for unique rocks to put on public display.

After 400 hours of work from May 2008 to this March, Lee and several helpers moved 22 large rocks of assorted shapes, sizes and colors to the James River Heritage Trail in Amherst County.

Companies donated the rocks while county officials allowed Lee, 18, to use the land at the base of Fertilizer Road that begins within the grounds of the Central Virginia Training Center.

It’s an exhibit that shows examples of different types of rocks that can be found throughout the area.

“I figured I’d make something useful that looks nice to bring more attraction to this end of the bike trail because there’s not really a lot down here,” Lee said.

Lee, who is home schooled and takes classes at Central Virginia Community College, credited the origins of the display to his mother, Adelaide, whom he referred to as a “rock hound.”

His initial idea for the Eagle Scout rank — the highest in the Boy Scouts of America — was to build a playground for goats in Lynchburg’s Old City Cemetery. That plan, however, was thwarted when dogs killed the goats the night he said he received the approval to proceed.

His mother said she saw a similar display of rocks at Wintergreen Resort in Nelson County and thought it a worthwhile project for Draper to pursue.

They traveled to quarry sites such as Boxley Materials Co. in Botetourt County and the Alberene Soapstone Co. in Schuyler to collect the rocks. Draper said he was looking mainly for various colors.

“We’re pretty lucky with all the variety we have,” Adelaide said of the exhibit.

They had the rocks numbered and built a nearby sign explaining the project with fliers in an attached mailbox naming the rocks and their origins.

Draper said he plans to obtain his GED soon and is interested in an associate’s degree in welding at CVCC. He also likes to fish, hunt, bowl, canoe and ride four-wheelers.http://media.newsadvance.com/newsadvance/images/uploads/L0511Draper-Lee1.jpg