By LYNETTE GEORGE
HERALD DEMOCRAT
In England, 1907-08: British Boer War hero, General Robert Baden-Powell, a 50-year-old bachelor, made a discovery. Boys were reading his military book, "Aids to Scouting." They were then taking Baden-Powell's military scouting ideas and using them as a guide to outdoor activities.
Baden-Powell re-thought his military scouting ideas, converting them to "peace scouting" for boys. He then tested the program on a group of boys on Brownsea Island. The test was a success, and Baden-Powell rewrote his military book, entitling it "Scouting for Boys." The organization quickly spread throughout Europe and, on Feb. 8, 1910, the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) was founded by Chicago publisher William Boyce. Since that time, the program has grown into one of the most successful and best-known youth organizations in the world.
In 2010, BSA districts across the country will celebrate 100 years. The Texoma Valley District, encompassing Grayson and Bryan Counties, has a full slate of special activities planned throughout the year, starting with the annual Recognition Dinner recently held at Grayson County College. The dinner honored the 36-member Eagle Scout Class of 2009, along with adult leaders and volunteers, and top sellers in the annual popcorn fundraiser and Scout show. District officers were also recognized.
District Chairman Bobby Littlefield served as master of ceremonies. Following the recognition of past Eagle Scouts by District Commissioner Walt Sherman, the 36-member Class of 2009 Eagle Scouts were introduced by Robert Crawley, a bank vice president of Denison. Each Eagle Scout was presented a plaque and a savings bond. Pat Dennis, representing the Marine Corp League, Texoma Detachment 929, presented each Eagle Scout with a certificate of recognition.
Texoma-area Scouts earning the rank of Eagle in 2009 were: William Glen Reynolds, Ryan Wesley Williams, Garland Phillip Muller, Geoffrey Allen Hooker and Jimmy Darrell Curtis, Troop 15 (Sherman); Nelson Wayne Moak and Brigham Jason Bangerter, Troop 76 (Sherman); Gerzon Levi Rodriguez, Crew 76 (Sherman); Spencer Collin Weber, Catlan Scott Fearon and Joshua Christopher Clark, Troop 44 (Van Alstyne); Garrett Matthew Virgin, Blake Everett Fisher, Justin David Carson and Matthew Cody Parker, Troop 605 (Denison); Dean Anthony Roan and Tanner Paul Goldsmith, Troop 61 (Pottsboro); Joseph Matthias McGowan, Rock Lee Thurston II, Trevor Joel Meadows, David Weigand Sargent II and Nathan Joe Childress, Troop 66 (Sherman); Zackry Lee Childers and Hunter B. Lindley, Troop 517 (Durant); Trevor Scott Hawley, Daniel Worthington Emory and Zachary B. Testerman, Troop 611 (Denison); Matthew Quang Lieu, Sean Joseph Gene Wyatt and Justin Cooper Ellsworth, Troop 649 (Durant); Dalton Gregory Loggains and Garrett Luke Schulze, Troop 615 (Durant); Jarom Lynden Grayson Smith, Troop 93 (Sherman); Timothy Michael Stachowski II, Troop 618 (Durant); Caleb Joseph Reed, Troop 38 (Whitesboro); and Hunter Timothy Stiles, Troop 42 (Whitewright).
In introducing the new Eagles, Crawley said, "The group before you represents tens of thousands of hours of effort ... And it's of special interest to me to see how many adult volunteers donate so much of their time to help scouting."
District adult Scouter awards were presented by the previous year's recipients, along with Blake Utter, representing Gail Utter of Sherman. Awards and recipients were: Chip o' Cedar -- Gail Radican, district committee; Heart o' Cedar -- Tamara Reid, Pack 13 (Sherman); Mike Snyder Volunteer of the Year -- Shannon Thomas, Troop 911 (Denison); Committee Member of the Year -- Danelle Aguilar, Pack 93 (Sherman); Cub Scout Den Leaders of the Year -- Scott and Abbie Gregg, Pack 45 (Howe); Webelos Den Leader of the Year -- James Radican, Pack 605 (Denison); Cubmaster of the Year -- Ross Edwards, Pack 618 (Durant); Scoutmaster of the Year -- Don Rhodes, Troop 42 (Whitewright); and District Awards of Merit -- Donna Russell, Troop 605 (Denison), and Michael Thompson, Troop 15 (Sherman).
Ryan Williams of Troop 15 (Sherman) earned recognition as the top BSA popcorn seller in the district, selling $2,555 worth of popcorn. Top unit sellers for the annual popcorn fundraiser were Pack 6 (Van Alstyne) with $14,862 in sales and Troop 15 (Sherman) with $8,485 in sales. Top unit sellers for Scout Show tickets were Troop 15 (Sherman) and Pack 605 (Denison). Top unit Friends of Scouting contributors were Troop 15 (Sherman) and Pack 13 (Sherman).
Conducting the installation of officers was J.C. Riza, former Texoma Valley Council president and long-time Scout leader. Littlefield was installed as District Chairman for 2010, along with Walt Sherman as District Commissioner, and Gordon Sidler as Senior District Executive.
Sidler addressed the large crowd of Scouts, leaders, volunteers, parents and supporters who attended the banquet.
"We had a great year, an incredible year," said Sidler. "On school night, we brought over 300 kids into Scouting ... We've had about a five percent increase in the number of units ... We've raised over $60,000 for kids to continue the Scouting program ... The May camping experience had more boys out to camp ... We collected over 14,000 cans of food last year ... Scouting is alive in the Texoma Valley ... It's going to be a great year this year. We're doing something special every month for the centennial ... Let's strive to provide a great, quality program ... We're about making strong character, good, healthy living, and relationships with family and friends."
Sidler also announced that "I Am Scouting" is the 2010 Scouting theme. He urged Scouts and leaders alike to demonstrate to the public what Scouting means in their daily lives.
In closing, Littlefield gave a brief history of Scouting and encouraged the group to celebrate the 100th anniversary all year. He also commended the Texoma Valley's many leaders and scouts. "We're blessed with people like yourselves who believe this (scouting) is the best youth program available!"
For more information about local or council wide activities and special centennial events, go to www.texomavalley.org or www.circle10.org.