Thursday, May 14, Circle Ten Council, Boy Scouts of America, presented one of five awards to Hamilton Park and Richardson Boy Scout adult volunteer, Frank Beverly, at its 10^thannual Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award Luncheon at the Fairmont Hotel in downtown Dallas.  Standing with Mr. Beverly as he received the honor was his wife, Eleanor. 

More than 500 people attended the luncheon, a memorial to Dr. Whitney M. Young, Jr., who was National Urban League director from 1961 until his death in 1971.  The awards recognize efforts and contributions of individual volunteers and organizations that help make Scout programs available to all youth, regardless of race, economic circumstances or geography.

Scout Volunteer since 1987

Currently, Mr. Beverly is Committee Chair of Cub Scout Pack 118 and Boy Scout Troop 118, which are chartered by, and meet at, the First Baptist Church of Hamilton Park, located at the intersection of Phillips Drive and South Greenville Avenue in Richardson.  Since 1987, he also has served as Den Leader, Cubmaster, and Scoutmaster.  He has completed Scout adult leader training, including University of Scouting classes and Wood Badge course number 69. 

In addition to his Pack 118 and Troop 118 involvement, Mr. Beverly has promoted Scout programs throughout the North Trail District, which consists of Highland Park, Lake Highlands, North Dallas, Preston Hollow, and Richardson.  He has served as a Unit Commissioner, District Commissioner, and a District Training Team member.  Past North Trail honors include the Your Extraordinary Service Award and Award of Merit.

“The best teacher is taking the boys camping,” said Mr. Beverly.  “It can provide tremendous opportunities that they otherwise would not have.”

Fellow Award Recipients

Along with Mr. Beverly, Young Award recipients were the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Charities, Troop 357 Scoutmaster Santiago Jimenez, Troop 2012 Scout Scoutmaster Michael Ross, and Member-at-large Edna Pemberton.  The presenter was Horace Williams, Cedar Hill ISD superintendent.

Also honored were Troop 459 Eagle Scout, Lynrick Pleasant II, recipient of the Douglas B. Owen Scholarship, and Circle Ten Council Program Director, Jami Hayes, recipient of the Dr. Frank “Tick” Coleman Award.

“What Scouting Means to Me”

Troop 914 Boy Scout Dale West and his mother, Dorthery, explained “What Scouting Means to Me.”  Although Mr. West relies on a wheelchair to move about and needs assistance to hold up his right hand in the Scout sign, with the thumb pressing down on the pinky finger and three fingers extended upward, he earned his Eagle Scout award.

Prime Time Speaks

Deion Sanders, the luncheon’s keynote speaker was introduced as “a generation athlete.”  Ron Davis, vice president, First Southwest Co., said that the former Dallas Cowboy is “the only athlete to play in both the Super Bowl and World Series and the first to hit a Major League Baseball homerun and score a National Football League touchdown in the same week.”  He added, “He has a great heart for children.”

“Why did I come?” asked Mr. Sanders.  “Prime Time was a Cub Scout before he was an athlete,” was his answer.  “My first uniform was a Cub Scout uniform.”  He then recited the beginning of the Cub Scout Promise, “I promise to do my best to do my duty to God and my Country.”

After a brief presentation, he invited luncheon attendees to ask him questions.  When asked what he considers his greatest achievement, Mr. Sanders said that there are two.  First, he kept a promise that he made to his mother that there would be a time when she would not have to work.  “My mother has never worked since I made my first dime (as a professional athlete),” he said.  The second is represented by a little trophy that still is displayed at his mother’s house.  He earned it for having the highest grade-point-average on his high school’s football team.

Proceeds Fund ScoutReach Programs

Luncheon proceeds will fund ScoutReach efforts in communities where social and economic issues have prevented youth from participating in Scout programs, according to Ponce Duran, Circle Ten Council Scout Executive.  State Senator and Council Executive Board member, Royce West, was the event’s chairman.  Joe Trahan, WFAA-TV/Channel 8 sports reporter and weekend sports anchor, was master of ceremonies.

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Author

Alan Edwards is among those who report on North Trail District Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venture activities.