Ryan’s commitment to education and the development of youth has been inspirational to his students and others as he continues to go above and beyond his role as a teacher and head of the social studies department at one of Washington State’s largest high schools, located in Marysville. Having traveled to Nigeria as a delegate in November 2005, Ryan became determined to contribute to the development of the educational opportunities for the students in the region. In May of 2006, he spent his spring break once again traveling back to the Niger Delta, following up with the work he began.

His students are now actively engaged in creating a “sister school” relationship between their high school and the school in the village of Oporoza where the November delegation built a library. Recently, his class donated a wheelchair for one of the disabled students in Oporoza, which was delivered to the young man in the village with much joy. Students and teachers throughout the school have raised funds to paint the Oporoza school classrooms and install whiteboards, so that the village students might have an environment that supports their learning.