Garrett Scott, left, Boys and Girls Club of Washington County teen coordinator, worked hard to make others’ dreams come true. (Photo Provided)
MARIETTA — The Boys and Girls Club of Washington County is fundraising to make Garrett Scott’s dream into a reality.
Scott was a Marietta High School graduate who began his career at the BGCWC in April 2014. He joined the organization as the Game Room Coordinator and became the Teen Coordinator in 2016, where he spent the next five years encouraging others to go after their dreams.
“He just clicked with the kids, and he was patient, compassionate and he listened,” said Angie Scott, mother and BGCWC board of directors member. “That was his passion, middle to high school age children that he wanted to reach. That he felt like he could help and change their lives.”
Scott passed away suddenly in May 2021, leaving his dream unfulfilled.
“His idea was not all kids are athletes or sports minded. He was one of those kids who had artistic and musical talents,” she said. “He wanted to reach out to kids in that category who could use their talent in ways they understood. That was his dream, to someday build a standalone teen center and music program.”
According to a press release from BGCWC, the Garrett Scott Memorial Teen Center will consist of a lounge, computer lab and a gaming area, while the music room will be filled with instruments and a recording studio. The center will be at 302 Lancaster St., Marietta. It is still in its planning stages and will cost approximately $500,000 to build. The BGCWC hopes to break ground in 2023.
Research indicates that a child’s experience during a high-quality after-school program can have as much influence on their overall success as their experience during school time, said the press release. In addition, growing evidence links high-quality after-school programs with gains in standardized test scores and work habits, as well as with reductions in behavior problems among disadvantaged students.
Scott was a five-year member of the Wall of Sound Drumline, as well as a tuba player in the concert band at MHS. He was the drummer for Ohio Valley University Jazz Band, Pathway Community Church Worship Band and the Jake Binegar Band.
The BGCWC plans to host fundraising events in the near future to help raise money for the memorial center. The Songwriter Series will take place at the Lafayette Hotel in Marietta, Friday, Sept. 30, at 8 p.m.
“I think it’ll be great,” said Angie. “It just ties into the whole music aspect of this project.”
The Songwriter Series will feature local artists John Kunze, Moon Mullen and Levi Westfall.
Kunze is a country musician originally from Parkersburg, but now lives in Belpre. He has been practicing music for 15 years. He said he loves doing these types of performances as a way to help others.
“It’s a chance for me to share the music that I write and give back to the community using the skills I have,” he said. “This is my favorite type of series, normally you don’t get the chance to tell people what the songs you write are about. They are about real life experiences.”
Mullen, a Marietta native, has been playing music for most of his life. Mullen works with local organizations like Artsbridge to share his music with area youth.
“I’m very excited to get to play music with a couple of my friends,” he said. “Some of my passion is sharing music with young people.”
This is just one of many events that the BGCWC has planned to help fundraise for the memorial center. There will be a Buckeye Bash on Saturday, Oct. 8, at 12:30 p.m. at the Town House in Marietta. There will also be a Chili Cook Off on Saturday, Oct. 22, at 12 p.m. at the Wrangler Tavern in Whipple. If you would like to learn more about these events or help make a difference through the Garrett Scott Memorial Teen Center and Music Program, contact Angie Scott at 740-516-0727 or email ascott2@att.net.
James Dobbs can be reached at jdobbs@newsandsentinel.com
* Who: Boys and Girls Club of Washington County
* What: Songwriter Series featuring John Kunze, Levi Westfall and Moon Mullen
* When: 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 30
* Benefits: The Garrett Scott Memorial Teen Center
* Ticket Price: Tickets can be bought in advance and at the doors for $10.
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