Local Scouting News!

Eagle Day 2012

The Chickasaw Council honored all Scouts who achieved the rank of Eagle in 2011 with a special day on March 29.  The day began with a breakfast for the Eagles at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis.  After breakfast the Eagles joined sponsors in the community who are employed in a profession in which the Eagle was interested in exploring. Sponsors in numerous professions including law, medicine, geology, music, aviation, law enforcement, and wildlife biology gave Eagles a first-hand look at what their jobs involve.

The day concluded with an Eagle Recognition Banquet at Memphis University School.  Over 200 Eagles, family members, and business leaders attended the banquet.   Micajah "Mike" P. Sturdivant, Jr. was the Eagle Class of 2011 honoree.  Mike Sturdivant has had a long and distinguished record of service for the Boy Scouts of America.  He has served as a member of the executive board of the Chickasaw Council for over twenty years.  His other leadership positions include: Executive Vice President, Friends of Scouting Chairman, Council Nominating Committee, Vice President of Capital Campaign, Delta Area Golf Tournament, Past President of Delta Council; Council Endowment Committee, Chairman of Delta Area Distinguished Citizen Award dinner, member of the Malmaison District Committee and has served as a member of the council nominating committee.  Mike currently provides leadership as the Mississippi Chairman of the Capital Campaign.  His family was honored with the Delta Distinguished Citizen Award in 2007and in1996 Mike was honored with the prestigious Silver Beaver award.

Renee Leith and Doyle Silliman handled decorations and desserts for the seventh year in a row!  They did an amazing job transforming a large room into a lovely banquet hall.

This year’s Eagle Day was outstanding from start to finish. The Eagles being honored seemed to really enjoy their special day and have some new experiences to add to their Scouting memories.

 

Governor Barbour Declares Toyota Arbor Day

While at the opening ceremonies for the new Toyota Plant in Blue Springs, MS, Gov. Haley Barbour declared November 17th as Toyota Arbor Day to celebrate both the opening of the car manufacturer's new plant and its commitment to the environment and Mississippi.

To celebrate Toyota Arbor Day, public school districts, private schools and religious schools will be given tree seedlings in January to distribute to their students for planting season.  Students are encouraged to plant the trees on February 10th, the official Arbor Day in MS as established by the National Arbor Day Foundation.  The state and Toyota created Toyota Arbor Day to offset the loss of trees from construction of the company's manufacturing facility.

The Mississippi Forestry Commission (MFC) has partnered with the Governor's office and Toyota to conduct the event.  MFC's role will be to obtain the seedlings and using our county offices, individually bag them and distribute them to the different school districts.

 

Boy Scouts of America’s Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner

On November 3, the Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America presented the 2011 Distinguished Citizen Award to the Woods E. Eastland from Indianola.  The award was established by the Boy Scouts of America to recognize noteworthy and extraordinary leadership of citizens in communities across the United States.  Honoring distinguished citizenship delivers a message to our youth that character counts.  

Woods Eastland is Chairman of the Board of Stalpcotn Cooperative Association and Staplcotn Discount Corporation, headquartered in Greenwood, Mississippi.  Founded in 1921, Staplcotn is America’s oldest farmer owned cotton marketing cooperative, marketing Memphis/Eastern cotton.

The dinner was held at the Greenwood Country Club with nearly 300 friends and family in attendance.  Dr. Robert Khayat of University of Mississippi was the keynote speaker for the evening and paid a special tribute to Mr. Eastland, who has a very strong Scouting history.  Mr. Eastland has been very involved in Scouting as an Executive Board member, Advisory Board Member, and a District Board Member.  He has served as a Friends of Scouting Chairman for many years, Distinguished Citizen Award Dinner Chairman, participated in Eagle Scout ceremonies, been awarded the District Award of Merit and is a Silver Beaver Recipient. 

The Chickasaw Council is proud to salute Woods E. Eastland, truly a distinguished citizen.  We gratefully acknowledge his service to our youth and our community and his devotions to our nation.

 

Scouter John Kasper Named Teacher of the Year

John Kasper, the Automotive Technology instructor at Millington Central High School, has been named the 2011 Valvoline ASE Teacher of the Year. The award is the only independent teacher award affiliated with the ASE.

Kasper was one of five finalists nationwide. Finalists were selected based on their involvement with the Valvoline Career Tech Program-a program where Valvoline provides free curriculum materials for automotive programs across the country-as well as being among the top ASE certified teachers. Kasper is not only a Master Automobile Technician; he’s also a Master in Auto Body Repair, Engine Machinist, HD Truck and has the Advanced Engine Performance certification.

To officially accept the award, Kasper will be honored at the ASE Technician Awards Ceremony in Charlotte, North Carolina. Along with the trip, he has also been rewarded with a cash prize of $1000.

Kasper has worked hard exposing his students to all aspects of the automotive industry as well as teaching them life lessons. He strives not only to instruct his students in the classroom, but he also hopes his teachings lead themto better things.

“It’s always been my philosophy to try to shoot higher than just placing someone in a job,” Kasper said. “One of the reasons I got into automotive training is because I realized I could do more than just be an everyday technician.”

In addition he’s taken the time for himself to be a top ASE certified teacher-which pays off for his students as well.

His efforts and devotion to education should be commended, which is exactly what Valvoline wants to do.

It’s ever apparent that Kasper is deserving of this honor. Walter Person, a colleague and friend, has noted Kasper as being a role model and great teacher attributed by his patience with the kids.

Throughout 26 years of teaching, Kasper has been able to support several Plymouth – Ford/AAA State Contest Finalists, a SkillsUSA Winner and National Finalist, and has seen many students go on to pursue successful careers in the automotive industry.

Delta Golf Classic

The 5th Annual Delta Classic Golf Tournament presented by Stringer’s International and the Chickasaw Council, Boy Scouts of America was held on September 8th at the Clarksdale Country Club in Clarksdale.  

Twenty teams competed in the 4-man scramble.  The opening luncheon and driving range opportunities began at 11:30, the teams started play at 1:00 and the awards reception at 5:00pm sponsored by the Sturdivant Brothers Flying Services.  

The tournament had many sponsors this year including the tournament sponsor, Stringer’s International and the golf shirt sponsor, Isle of Capri of Lula.  There were many hole sponsors and contributing sponsors that participated this year.  Top quality prizes were awarded to all winning teams. 

The team of Michael Sanders, Todd Jeffreys, Colin McCrary, and Zach Stewart of Cleveland won the Championship Flight with a score of 16 under par.  The team of Baxter Lee, Jose Oakley, Jim Milne, and David Clarke of Isle of Capri won the 1st Flight with a score of 8 under par.  The tournament and its proceeds benefit the Scouting program in the Mississippi Delta.

 

Eagle Day 2011

The Chickasaw Council honored all Scouts who achieved the rank of Eagle in 2010 with a special day on March 24.  The day began with a breakfast for the Eagles at the Holiday Inn-University of Memphis.  The City and County Mayors attended and issued a joint proclamation declaring the day as “Eagle Day” and recognized the Eagles for their service to others.  

After breakfast the Eagles joined sponsors in the community who are employed in a profession in which the Eagle was interested in exploring. Sponsors in numerous professions including law, medicine, geology, music, aviation, law enforcement, and wildlife biology gave Eagles a first-hand look at what their jobs involve.

The day concluded with an Eagle Recognition Banquet at Memphis University School.  Over 250 Eagles, family members, and business leaders attended the banquet.   Former Chickasaw Council President S. Shepherd Tate was the Eagle Class of 2010 honoree.  He is an Eagle Scout and received the Distinguished Eagle Award in 1980 and the Silver Beaver Award in 1963.

Renee Leith and Doyle Silliman handled decorations and desserts for the sixth year in a row!  They did an amazing job transforming a large room into a lovely banquet hall. This year’s Eagle Day was outstanding from start to finish.

The Eagles being honored seemed to really enjoy their special day and have some new experiences to add to their Scouting memories.

TISHOMINGO FRESHMAN NAMED MISSISSIPPI
AMERICAN LEGION EAGLE SCOUT 2011

Noah Drake Robertson of Iuka won the Gold Citizenship Medal for The American Legion "Eagle Scout of the Year" for Mississippi and was nominated to The American Legion National Headquarters for consideration for further national awards.  Noah also received the Silver Citizenship Medal and Citation for winning his District for his outstanding community service and many accomplishments entailed in the rigorous competition for the "Eagle Scout of the Year" award.
Other recipients of District level "Eagle Scout of the Year" awards include Henry Rogers Varner, III of Cleveland and Matthew A. Turley of Hattiesburg. The American Legion "Eagle Scout of the Year" Award program serves to recognize the highest level of leadership and achievement on the part of Boy Scouts who on a constant basis give so much of themselves on behalf of community service and helping others. 
Many programs within Mississippi communities are designed to recognize and benefit our children, however, no program known recognizes the service and work performed by Eagle Scouts and the contributions made by Boy Scouts on a day-to-day basis.