Published: September 17, 2009 09:00 pm      

BC teen moves toward future after Hurricane Ike

BRIDGE CITY — Even after losing everything he owned following Hurricane Ike, it was not enough to keep one Bridge City High School senior from working to achieve his dreams.

Shane Edgerly,19, has proven many times in the past he is a survivor and will certainly do it again.

The Edgerly family returned to their home after the flood waters receded to discover their residence and yard filled will filled with salt grass, mud and sludge. Something as simple as once pulling up in the driveway became an impossible task.

As the family of four worked to clean up, they found snakes hidden in the grass, mud and even inside their house. In addition a cow, which was not theirs, but had washed up into their yard and laid rotting in the heat.

Shane Edgerly returned to school in October where the halls were filled with everyone’s stories of surviving Hurricane Ike. He also learned he was not alone in his quest for normalcy in his life. Although it was good to see his friends again, Shane Edgerly said it was somehow different, but it was not exactly something he could put his finger on.

Following in the footsteps of his parents by graduating from the same high school he finished out the school year.

Most recently, he has taken a huge step towards achieving his dreams. Shane Edgerly aspires to become a chef and has registered with the Art Institute of Houston. Classes will start Oct. 5.

“It’s a great opportunity and a great school,” said Lisa Edgerly, Shane’s mother.

He plans to get an associates degree of applied science which is a culinary degree. When he has completed part one of his degree, he plans to return to achieve another dream and obtain another degree by studying baking and pastry to become a pastry chef.

While attending school he will live in an apartment located near the school.

“My baby is leaving home,” said Lisa Edgerly.

Until he leaves he plans to “take it easy.” His days consist of taking his brother, Tanner, 16, back and forth to Bridge City High School and hanging out with friends.

But, the Edgerly family, who has been living in Groves since the storm, will also soon be experiencing some changes as well. Repairs to their house are nearly completed and they hope to be moved back to Bridge City within a few weeks.

“We are just ready to go home,” said Lisa Edgerly.

One treasured item from the storm which was not able to be restored was Shane’s 1996 Chevrolet pickup truck which was a gift on his 17th birthday. Unfortunately, it was parked in the garage and covered by several feet of flood waters following the storm. A family member pushed the truck out of the garage, but it was not salvageable. When he looked at it he envisioned all the places he had been and all the places he still wanted to go. However, since then he has a car. Shane Edgerly will soon be using it to take him to Houston where he will go to school will he reach for a few stars and maybe a tasty culinary delight along the way to his future.



Debby Schamber is a reporter for the Orange Leader. She can be reached at 409-883-3571 ext. 2609 or at dschamber@orangeleader.com.