By By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
Feb. 24, 2001
For 17 area Boy Scouts, it was a time to soar with the eagles Friday night as they received the highest rank in Scouting during the Choctaw Area Council's annual Eagle Recognition and Scouter Appreciation Banquet.
On the average, it takes a Scout three years to earn the Eagle Scout award the highest rank a Boy Scout can receive. Along the way, he must earn 21 merit badges, go through various tests and complete a civic project.
This year's class was named in honor of long-time Scout supporter Bubba Hampton, president of Trustmark National Bank. For Hampton, who has been a part of scouting since he was a 6-year-old Cub Scout, it was a proud but sad moment.
His wife, Marilyn Hampton, passed away last fall after a long bout with cancer.
Having been a Boy Scout, and then watching his sons go through the Boy Scouting program, Hampton said he believes in the program.
During the program, Hampton congratulated each new Eagle Scout, and presented them with a neckerchief.
Receiving their Eagle badge were:
Bradley Ervin Black, Troop 2, Meridian, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Black;
Russell Norman Huntley, Troop 7, Meridian, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Huntley;
Travis Michael Huntley, Troop 7, Meridian, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Huntley;
Adam Thomas Ainsworth, Troop 9, Meridian, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Randall Ainsworth;
Benjamin David Hutto, Troop 9, Meridian, the son of Rev. and Mrs. David Hutto;
Kevin Blake Remy, Troop 9, Meridian, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Remy;
David Allen Threatt, Troop 9, Meridian, the son of Mr. and Mrs. H.L. "Pete" Threatt;
Michael Carr Whitworth, Troop 9, Meridian, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Whitworth;
Matthew James Bearden, Troop 22, Newton, the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Bearden;
Charles Lance Roebuck, Troop 22, Newton, the son of Lisa Roebuck and Charlie Roebuck;
Jessie Lee Henderson, Troop 28, Meridian, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Henderson;
Whitney Randolph Owen, Troop 46, Decatur, the son of Rev. and Mrs. Billy Owen;
Craig Lowry Ozborn, Troop 46, Decatur, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Craig L. Ozborn;
Warren Hastings Westbrook, Troop 46, Decatur, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ron Westbrook;
Don Webster Stokes Jr., Troop 48, DeKalb, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Don Stokes Sr.;
David Conrad Lassiter, Troop 70, Meridian, the son of Tracey Fuller and John Lassiter;
Brandon Anthony Howell, Troop 105, Meridian, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Manning.
Three people received the Silver Beaver Award, the highest honor an adult Scout volunteer can receive. They were Bennie Carter, scoutmaster of Troop 1, Meridian; Celois Vaughn, scoutmaster of Troop 144 of Savoy; and, Brad Kueven, a member of the executive board.
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.