By Alan Edwards

Sunday, Jan. 24, more than 230 adult volunteers celebrated the 100^th anniversary of the American Boy Scout movement at Circle Ten Council’s North Trail District Annual Awards Banquet held at Eddie Deen’s Ranch banquet facility in Downtown Dallas. 

The evening event featured the presentation of the Boy Scout Heroism Award to two Richardson Scouts, the recognition of district honors earned by adult volunteers and inspiring and informative words from keynote speaker David Scott.

Heroism Awards

Dr. Robert Edmunds, an Eagle Scout and accomplished enterprise and technology executive, conducted a National Court of Honor to present the Boy Scout Heroism Award to Richardson Troop 444 Scouts Josh Raynes, 16, a sophomore at Prince of Peace Christian School, Carrollton, and Chris Rogers, 17, a senior at J.J. Pearce High School, Richardson. 

On Oct. 20, 2007, Raynes, Rogers and Connor McNeil, now 16 and a sophomore at Richardson High School, were among a group of Troop 444 Scouts launching model rockets during a weekend campout at Camp Simpson in Oklahoma.  When an errant rocket pierced McNeil’s chest, Raynes and Rogers reacted immediately with their Scout-taught first-aid skills.  Rogers took off his own shirt, placed it over the wound, and applied pressure.  He told Raynes to maintain the pressure while he went to get help from adult leaders.

“These two boys took the necessary action to save the life of their friend,” said Dr. Edmunds.

John Slaughter Receives Robert E. Little Award

The district’s Robert E. Little Award of Merit, which honors “dedicated service, personal effort and unselfish interest,” was presented by Tim Conard to fellow Richardson resident John Slaughter.  Mr. Slaughter is responsible for district communications, including website www.northtrail.org and a weekly newsletter distributed by e-mail to 1,300 district families.  He and his wife, Phyllis, are the parents of adult sons, Robbie and Jim Slaughter, who both earned their Eagle awards as members of Richardson Troop 1191.

District Award of Merit and YES Awards

Each year, the Circle Ten Council honors “meritorious service” at the district level with its District Award of Merit.  Dennis Weigel, another long-time district volunteer and North Dallas resident, presented awards to Richardson and North Dallas residents:

-  Don Birdsong, Pack 516, Yale Elementary School, New Life Fellowship Church

-  Chuck Holden, Troop 728 and Venturing Crew 728, St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School

-  John Meek, Troop 895, Waterview Church of Christ

-  Paul Stauffer, Troop 2485, Dover Elementary School, BPO Elks Lodge 2485

Scott Thompson, a long-time Lake Highlands Troop 719 and district volunteer, presented the 2009 Your Extraordinary Service (YES) awards to 17 Cub Scout volunteers and 24 Boy Scout adult volunteers.  “The recipients tirelessly give their knowledge, time, resources and guidance to our youth,” said Thompson.  “They have truly provided extraordinary service.”

Keynote Speaker – David Scott

Keynote speaker David Scott, an Eagle Scout with five Palms and the author of the book “We Are Americans, We Are Scouts,” spoke about the critical impact that President Theodore Roosevelt had on the formation of the American Scouting movement. 

“No American’s endorsement was more important or valued than that of Theodore Roosevelt due to his stature as the nation’s number one citizen-leader,” said Mr. Scott.  “Roosevelt believed that the duty-driven principles that guided his life were the same as Scouting’s core principles.”

Closing Comments

Kimberly Colonnetta, the parent of Troop 82 and 577 Scouts and North Trail District Committee Chair,closed the banquet by repeating the story of American businessman William D. Boyce who, after losing his way in a dense London fog in August 1909, was led to his destination by an English Boy Scout.  When Boyce offered a tip, the boy refused it, saying that he was just doing his Good Turn as a Scout.   

Before leaving London, Boyce met with Lord Robert Baden-Powell, a retired British general and the founder of Scouting in Great Britain.  Six months later, on Feb. 8, 1910, Boyce incorporated the Boy Scouts of America

“Scouting in America was founded by one good turn, one small act of kindness,” said Mrs. Colonnetta.  “A chance encounter between a man and a boy, whose name is lost to history, grew into a movement that has profoundly affected millions of Americans,” she continued.  “Let us never forget the power and impact one good turn can make.”

The North Trail District is comprised of Cub Packs, Boy Scout Troops and Venturing Crews in Lake Highlands, North Dallas, Park Cities, Preston Hollow and Richardson.

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Alan Edwards is among those who report on the activities of North Trail District Cub Scout, Boy Scout and Venturing units.