JACKSON – The Lewis-Deanes District of the East Carolina Council, Boy Scouts of America held its annual awards dinner on Saturday, Feb. 24.

Troop 129 posted the colors and led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance and an invocation. Dinner was held with Roanoke Rapids Police Chief Chuck Hasty as the keynote speaker. Hasty let the Scout Leaders know how important their role in developing young Scouts into contributing citizens.

The 2017 class of Eagle Scouts were recognized for their efforts and accomplishments. Training Awards were presented by Steve Garner, District Training Chair. The awards included 100% Trained unit to Daniel Harris, Cubmaster and Shawn Garner, Scoutmaster. Trained Leader Awards included Amy Swain, Laura Wilson, and Daniel Harris for Den Leader Training. Paul Hollingsworth and Daniel Harris for Cubmaster Training. Lucien Hairston, Joshua Clark, James Tuck, Mark Given, Jr. for Scoutmaster Training. Den Leader Award includes James Garris, Brandy Shaw, Daniel Harris, Roy Rieck and Laura Wilson. Chris Borrell received the Scouter’s Key Award. Malcolm and Beth Perry received the Trained Commissioner Awards.

The District awarded the Cub Scout Committee Member of the Year to Brandy Shaw, Den Leader of the Year to Laura Wilson, Assistant Cubmaster of the Year to Pau Hollingsworth and Cubmaster of the year to Daniel Harris.

The Boy Scout Committee Member of the Year was awarded to Roy Rieck. Chris Borrell received the Assistant Scoutmaster of the Year and Shawn Garner received the Scoutmaster of the Year Award.

District Committee Member of the Year went to Jeanine Kosmicki and Commissioner of the Year went to Shawn Garner.

The Ted Deanes Scouter of the Year went to Jeanine Kosmicki and the E.A. “Pro” Lewis Scouter of the Year went to Ed Martin. Trez Borrell received the District Award of Merit.

“We are proud of all the award winners. These leaders are making the difference for hundreds of Scouts across the District and that is what Scouting is all about. Scouting offers Scouts of all ages the opportunity to learn to make a difference in the communities in which we reside.” Said Allen Purser, District Chair.

Grady Mullis, District Director of the Lewis-Deanes District closed the meeting. Anyone interested in joining Scouts and Explorer Post can contact Grady Mullis at 252-955-1914.

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. The Boy Scouts of America is the largest values based youth program in the world. In the past one hundred years, over half a billion men and women have taken the Scout Oath.

East Carolina Council serves over 7,000 youth. Lewis-Deanes District composed of Halifax, Northampton, Hertford and Bertie counties serves 298 youth. Twelve percent of registered Boy Scouts in Lewis- Deanes District received their Eagle rank in 2017, which is more than double the national average. Youth in the local program conducted over 3,000 hours of community service in 2017