NEWS

Davidson’s Troop 58’s newest Eagle Scouts (l to r), Noah Willingham, Carlton Bragg, and Phillip Hazel. (M Williams photo)

Three longtime members of Davidson’s Boy Scout Troop 58 received Scouting’s highest honor, the Eagle Scout, in a ceremony held on Sunday, January 27 at the Congregation House of Davidson College Presbyterian Church.

Carlton Bragg, Phillip Hazel, and Noah Willingham each completed hundreds of miles of hiking and many nights of rugged camping in the wildest of places, such as Alaska, and they fulfilled their Eagle Scout projects and a wide variety of leadership roles in their quest for Eagle. As challenging as they found these objectives, they all agreed that they are grateful to have had the opportunity to live out these adventures. They expressed appreciation for their leaders, Chris Willingham, John Bragg, and Thomas Hazel, who organized these activities and trips that helped them grow in Scouting and allowed them to have fun as they developed skills that will serve them for the rest of their lives.

The table is set with symbols of Scouting’s highest honor, The Eagle Scout. (M Williams photo)

All the previous recipients of the Eagle Scout who were in attendance gathered at the side of the room and passed the Eagle pin from one to the other, symbolizing the enduring legacy of this award. In part, the Eagle Scout Promise states: “Eagles do their best each day to make their training an example, their rank and their influence count strongly for better Scouting and for better citizenship in their troop, in their community, and in their contacts with other people.” To this, Carlton, Phillip, and Noah pledged their sacred honor. 

Each Eagle made remarks to the assembled family and friends in response to the pinning of the medal by their mothers and the pledge, and they each selected one person to whom to give the Mentor Award, to the person who made significant contributions to their completion of the Eagle journey. Noah presented the Mentor Award to one of his Troop leaders, John Bragg; Carlton presented his to his grandfather, Frank Bragg; and Phillip presented his to his father and Troop leader, Thomas Hazel. 

All three young men will continue in Scouting with Venture Crew Scouts, which was created for males and females, ages 14 to 20.