The Duck Creek District of the Boy Scouts hosted its 2019 dinner March 1 at the McDonald Activity Center at First Baptist Church in Garland. The evening included recognition of adult volunteers and leaders as well as several city officials from Garland and Rowlett. A canned good drive was held to benefit Good Samaritan of Garland and there was a silent auction to benefit the Friendship House at First Baptist Church. The keynote speaker, Bryan Wendell, entertained the crowd with stories about trips he has taken with Boy Scout troops.
Stevan Sanderson talked about the importance of scouting and the benefits it affords to participants. He explored the theme of the event, “Scouts Can.”
He talked about how the members learn life lessons in scouting, have the opportunity to experience adventures, let their imaginations go wild and dream.
“We teach our scouts to be leaders and being in Boy Scouts builds confidence, leadership and community engagement,” he said. “All these kids are going to do great things.”
A highlight of the evening was the ceremony recognizing this year’s Duck Creek District Eagle Scouts:
Troop 57 – Bryce Andrew Ashby, Aaron Lane Goins, Tristan Lasater Scott, Miguel Angel Velasco-Davila, Jonah Scott Wolff
Troop 100 – Jacob Ray Barefield, Oliver Booth Chamberlin IV, Edward James Chytil III, Asher Trenton Crider, Daniel Declan Fanning, Jonathan Scott Freeland, Christopher Matthew Mixell, Ethan Marcus Quarles, Jacob Clayton Paul Reyna
Troop 360 – Cooper Alan March
Troop 548 – Edgar Martin Mendoza
Photos courtesy of Robert Halliday
Troop 1020 – James Carl Davidson, Torin Andres Garcia, Ryan Arthur Reilly, Drake Adam Robinson
Troop 1188 – Trey Ernst
Troop 1199 – Myles Ledet, Donald Cole McAllister, Jonathan Patrick Tyler, Warren Christopher Tyler II
Troop 1978 -Safwan Muhammad Chowdhury, John Robert McKelvey, Tanner Scott Sanderson
Troop 1989 – Samuel Michael Brunsen, Garrett Scott Wafford, Brayden Andrew Watkins
Troop 2121 – Luke Daniel Hodge
This 2018 group of Eagle Scouts contributed 8,020 hours of community service.
Barbara Powers recognized Safwan Chowdhury, Tanner Sanderson and John McKelvey, all from Troop 1978, for exceptional Eagle Scout projects. Safwan’s project for Good Samaritans of Garland collected more than 500 volunteers hours. John McKelvey’s project for Cornerstone United Methodist Church had more than 900 hours, and Tanner Sanderson’s project also for Cornerstone United Methodist Church, had 2,355 hours.
Powers then talked about the winning project.
“One of the judges said, ‘There are OK projects, good projects and then there is this project! It’s in a class by itself,” Powers said.
Tanner Sanderson, the creator of the project, raised more than $35,000. He also made presentations before community groups to raise funds and coordinated 135 volunteers.
“This scout used the skills he learned at the Garland ISD Gilbreath-Reed Career & Technical Center to take a bare plot of land and convert it into a serene usable space,” Powers said. “The “B. Still Garden” is used not only by Cornerstone United Methodist Church…but also people walking by. The project has pews, tables, native plants and a cancer bell to honor his mother.”
“This project has been chosen by Circle Ten Council as the outstanding Eagle Scout project to represent it at Region. From there, it will go to National,” Powers said. “This is the first time our district—Duck Creek or Gray Owl—has been so honored!”
Powers then announced that Sanderson will receive a $5,000 college scholarship from the Rust Powers Foundation for the outstanding project.