BELLAIRE • MEMORIAL • RIVER OAKS • TANGLEWOOD • WEST UNIVERSITY

Past, present and future of Memorial Villages

By Ruhi Thapar, age 17 | April 1, 2019

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CONNECTING GENERATIONS Ruhi Thapar, a senior at Memorial High School and member of Troop 18175, recorded the oral histories of long-term Memorial residents for her Girl Scout Gold Award project.

As a member of the Memorial Villages community, I observed a disconnect between younger and older generations. From neighborhood parties to school events, conversations were classified by age groups, and meaningful interactions did not transcend generations.

I wanted to address this, so for my Girl Scout Gold Award project, I recorded oral histories told by long-term residents. I called it "A Concise History of Memorial Villages/Spring Branch Area" and made it accessible to the public. A better understanding of the past will help the community plan a more sustainable future while preserving the traditions that tie us all together.

I’ve always been a lover of history and know that the key to understanding the present, and preparing for the future, is a thorough understanding of the past. I was intrigued to find that my small community was one of the earliest established in Harris County. It was attractive for settlement due to its expansive pine forests and proximity to the San Felipe Trail.

Remnants of history still exist in my community today, like the chapel of St. Peter United Church of Christ.

Through my Gold Award project, I wanted to bridge a generational gap by developing an appreciation in the younger generation. I hope insight into the rich history will encourage people to preserve traditions as well as landmarks and the environment.

Awareness of the contributions of the elders of my community taught me that effective leadership involves being an active participant in change rather than a passive observer. This project fostered a newfound respect for those who established the foundation of my neighborhood and transformed it into the thriving community it is today.

In all my endeavors, I seek to channel the resilience, compassion and determination of the founding members of my community.

Editor’s note: “A Concise History of Memorial Villages/Spring Branch Area" is available through the Memorial Area Library and in city offices. Ruhi also plans to put it online.

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