Wooden flag earns BP teen top VFW award
Members of the Minnesota VFW Auxiliary award first place to Joie Ruhter of Blooming Prairie in the Young American Creative 3D Patriotic competition. Ruhter goes on to national competition. Submitted photo
Woodworking is something that Joie Ruhter has been focused on since she was 10 years old.
One of her recent creations has earned the Blooming Prairie teenager first place in the Young American Creative 3D Patriotic competition through the VFW Auxiliary. She has moved on to the national competition.
Ruhter created a wooden cut-out of Minnesota with the American flag incorporated on top. She drew stars and stained the flag and stripes. Along with the design, she also wrote a short essay about what inspired her to make the creation.
“There were a few veterans in my family and don’t get me wrong I loved them all, but my great grandpa was my favorite,” Ruhter wrote. “Sadly, he passed away a couple years ago. So, to me when I was making this, I was constantly reminded of all of the memories we had together.”
Her great-grandfather, Milton Ruhter, served in World War II.
Ruhter went on to say, “That made me change my mind set while making this project. It’s not just another scholarship opportunity, it’s a way to show honor and respect towards all the veterans that impacted our lives. So, I didn’t just make this to honor my great grandpa. I made it to show my respect and try to honor all the veterans.”
She said she has never seen anyone make a Minnesota cut-out featuring a flag like she did. “It’s something you don’t see every day,” Ruhter said.
As far as winning the state contest, Ruhter said “it’s pretty cool,” especially considering that she has rarely entered contests before. She said Diane Nelson of the Blooming Prairie VFW pushed her to enter the contest.
Ruhter earned $300 for winning the state contest, along with some smaller prizes for a couple other contests leading up to state. The first-place national winner will be awarded a $4,000 scholarship.
Each year more than 4,000 high school students from across the country participate in the patriotic contest, which began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth.
The recent graduate of Blooming Prairie credits her grandfather, Doug Ruhter, for getting her into woodworking. She has made many other pieces, including coffee table, fish hat and coat hanger and a snowmobile wooden cut-out.
She said she initially made them as last-minute Christmas gifts. They were so popular that people wanted her to make more, and she ended up selling them for $30. Ruhter has made more than 30 pieces. She said she will make more by request.
Ruhter is confident she will do well at the national competition. Her grandmother, Barb Ruhter, has promised she would take her to nationals if she is chosen as the winner.
This fall she plans to attend Alexandria Technical and Community College where she will major in welding. Ruhter isn’t sure where she will end up after college. But she’s certain about one thing.
“I hope to get placed with a good job,” she said.