PILOT MOUNTAIN — Boy Scouts from across Surry County gathered in Pilot Mountain Tuesday for the Dogwood District Annual Recognition Banquet.
Dogwood District Executive Brady Adcock shared a presentation of his hike up the Appalachian trail. The 2,189-mile hike lasted 116 days, taking Adcock from Georgia to Maine.
“This passion and desire developed in Boy Scouts,” said Adcock, noting the many years of preparation that went into the trip. Facing many unexpected obstacles along the trail, such as running out of food and encountering bears, Adcock explained that the skills he learned during his days as a scout helped him persevere and survive on the trail.
“I am honored to be part of an organization that promotes outdoor recreation and has values that make a lasting impact on boys in this community,” said Adcock, thanking the leaders who dedicate their time.
Guest speaker Rev. Alex Martin recalled many adventures from his years in scouting. Mishaps, such as lost Pinewood Derbies, kites that don’t fly, and camping cook kits too heavy to carry, were the vehicle for many lessons learned. “Somewhere in the middle of all those mistakes, and failures, and questionable decisions, I learned an awful lot,” said Martin, noting that scouting provided a foundation that built character.
Martin added, “scouting isn’t great because it takes a bunch of perfect people and allows them to stay as they already are; scouting is great, because it takes imperfect people and points them in the direction of who they could become.”
The 2014-2015 Dogwood District Eagle Scouts were recognized. From Troop 505: Hugh Davis Atkinson, Samuel Austin Gravely, Timothy Jack Marion II, Bryan Andrew Mills, and Elliot Frazier Smith; from Troop 538: Andrew Joseph Creech and Nathan Bryan Eaton; from Troop 545: Nathaniel Evan Sheets, Jonathan Tyler Tarn, and Dylan Jacob Wagoner; from Troop 551: Tyler Moroni Palfreeman; from Troop 553: James David Sawyers and Caleb Zane Simmons; from Troop 556: Brayton Chancy Fields, Austin Edwin Mundy; from Troop 561: Benjamin Ray Francis, and John Everett Francis; and from Troop 596: Hunter Neal Clawson and Luke Marion Needham.
The Wood Badge was presented to Barry Rook by Mack McCormick and Stan Gordon.
The National Court of Honor was presented to Joseph Stanish. In addition to his ongoing commitment as a Den Leader for Pack and Troop 564 and co-directing the Dogwood District day camp program, on December 13, 2014 Stanish saved a man’s life in the Las Vegas airport by performing CPR after hearing the man’s daughter cry for help.
Donnie Diamont presented Leader of the Year awards. Dorothy Sullivan, serving the Boy Scout community since 1988, was named 2015 Cub Scout Leader of the Year. The 2015 Boy Scout Leader of the Year title was awarded to Rick Haynes Jr., scoutmaster of Troop 564 in Mount Airy.
Two leaders, Bobby J. Cox and Bobby L. Key, were recognized with the 2015 Dogwood District Award of Merit. Cox, of Pinnacle, has served Troop 561 in Shoals for over 20 years, receiving Wahissa Lodge Founder’s Award in 2000 and Boy Scout Leader of the year in 2004. Key, of Siloam, has served for more than 25 years working with Troop 561, Camp Raven Knob, and the Old Hickory Council.
Diane Blakemore may be reached at 336-368-2222 or on twitter @PilotReporter.
