11 local Scouts achieve Eagle rank in 2019

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Eleven Boy Scouts from Whitfield and Murray counties achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in 2019.

The rank of Eagle is the highest achievement possible in the Boy Scouts and is attained by only 3% of the young men who start in the Scouts. The Eagle rank is the culmination of several years of preparation in the Scouts and consists of progression through the various ranks in Scouting, completion of at least 21 merit badges, demonstration of leadership abilities in the Scouts Troop, community and school and an Eagle Scout project which provides a significant contribution to the Scout’s community or church. The Scout must plan, develop, finance, supervise and implement the project which must be approved before the project starts and after it is completed by an independent board of adults.

This year’s Scouts are:

n Jake Barnes

n Gage Dyer

n Joseph Fletcher

n Fletcher Griffin

n Henry Hansen

n Garrett Hughes

n Kenneth Johnson

n Seth Raburn

n Lawrence Rich

n Andrew Rogers

n Jackson Stevenson.

Three projects were completed at area parks. Two of the projects were completed at Haig Mill Lake Park. Stevenson placed bat houses around the park while Barnes constructed a shelter along the trail. Lakeshore Park benefitted from Griffin’s project with new bluebird houses.

Two projects were also completed at the new Humane Society of Northwest Georgia building. Hughes built cat ramps and benches and Johnson hung 12 birdhouses around the perimeter.

Area churches benefitted from three of the projects. Hansen built a new playground at Twin Cedars Presbyterian Church. Fletcher installed a prayer garden at Woodstation United Methodist Church and Dyer rebuilt a fire escape at Fairview United Methodist Church.

Finally, local charities and historical centers were the recipients of three projects. Raburn placed three tent pads and a foot path at Freedom Ranch to benefit local veterans and disabled folks. Rich provided picnic tables and a grill at the local Salvation Army and Rogers refurbished the front porch at the Davis House Civil War Museum.