A flag raises over a North Spokane school for the very first time | Community Spirit

A color guard of Boy Scouts marched through the retouched courtyard of M.E.A.D. Alternative with a flag in tow Thursday morning. The weeks of hard work from Eagle Scout Chris Bailey led to a flag being raised over the school for the first time.

“It was my idea of patriotism,” Bailey said. He continued, “I saw that it was a pubic school with no flag flying. It posed a problem with me, so I decided that it would be a good idea to do this.”

In the gathering crowd of parents and students, Bailey’s father was present. Ed Rosell was there all along, not just as a father but also as his scout master.

“I’m extremely proud,” Rosell said. He continued, “This program has helped turn him around. He was a kid heading down the wrong direction. Now he’s on the right path.”

Even Bailey’s peers were proud. When the ceremony was over, the entire crowd cheered with high fives all around.

One student even said: “Nice job, Bro.”

Bailey is also a student at M.E.A.D. He’s a senior expecting to graduate next year.

Bailey's advisor, Curtis Barville, says this project shows the quality he's capable of.

“The gift has meaning. It’s something he invested in as a citizen of this country and this community,” Barville said. He added: “Bringing the two together is a way that says ‘I value you both.’”

The school now has its own flag pole that future generations can look up to.