EAGLE SCOUT: June 6, 2006

David Wayne VanLandingham began his scouting career as a member of Troop 85 on September 30, 2002.  He earned his Eagle Scout Award on June 6, 2006.

During his career, he has earned an impressive 36 merit badges and is a member of Scouting’s prestigious national honor society, Order of the Arrow.  His special awards include World Conservation and Historic Trails badges.  He has also served in leadership positions as a Patrol Leader and Troop Scribe.

David is the son of Wayne A. (Benjy) and Margaret VanLandingham of New Albany, MS.  David’s sister is Elizabeth Diann VanLandingham.  He is the grandson of Norris and Darcy Strickland, Bobbie VanLandingham and the late Wayne T. VanLandingham.

David is an active member of Wallerville Baptist Church and a member of its Puppet and Drama team, Crucified with Christ.  David recently received a 15-year Sunday School Perfect Attendance pin.

David currently attends Tupelo Christian Preparatory School and is a member of the football team. 

On August 29, 2005, the day Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the TCPS freshman class was returning home from a four-day Freshman Leadership Conference.  This event inspired David’s Eagle Scout Leadership Service project.

David coordinated his Eagle Project with the Hurricane Katrina relief organization, Eight Days of Hope.  His project coordinated the collection and distribution of “housewarming containers” given to the families whose houses were worked on during Eight Days of Hope.   Each container was a 30-gallon Rubbermaid container filled to capacity with household and housewarming items.  These items included a Bible and personal note of hope from the donor.  Fifty-nine containers were collected and distributed in December 2005.

After high school, David plans to attend the University of Mississippi in the fall of 2009.

EAGLE SCOUT: August 1, 2005

James Anthony Chance Harden II began his scouting career as a member of Boy Scout Troop 85 on August 10, 2001.

Chance was certified as an Eagle Scout on August 1, 2005, while serving his second term as Senior Patrol Leader.

Chance's Eagle Leadership Project included building a picnic area for the Troop’s chartering organization, Harrisburg Baptist Church.  Under  his leadership, members of Troop 85 cleared heavy brush from a half-acre wooded area to accommodate several custom picnic tables and platforms constructed by the troop as part of the project.

Chance had earned a total of 36 merit badges at the time of his Eagle Board of Review.  He is a member of Scouting’s prestigious community service organization, Order of the Arrow.

He plans to continue his career in Scouting by earning the Eagle Scout’s meritorious Palm Awards.

EAGLE SCOUT: August 21, 2005

Daniel Scott Hodges

Daniel started Scouting in Oak Harbor, WA (Mt Baker Council) with Cub Scout Troop #4066 where he earned the ranks of Bobcat and Wolf.  He then transferred to Honolulu, HI (Aloha Council) Cub Scout Troop #281 where he started his Bear rank, and due to falling membership in that Troop Daniel transferred to Cub Scout Troop #189 (Aloha Council).  He finished his Bear ranking and also his Webelo rank with Troop #189.  Then it was time to move on to Lubbock, TX (South Plains Council) and Boy Scout Troop #521.  Here Daniel earned his Arrow of Light Award and was treated to one of the most spectacular ceremonies one can imagine.  Earning his Boy Scout, Tenderfoot Scout and Second Class Scout ranks and many Merit Badges all while camping and fishing along the way.  His trail to Eagle Scout continued in Brenham, TX (Sam Houston Area Council) Boy Scout Troop # 742.  Daniel earned the rank of First Class Scout and Star Scout while with this Troop.  One of the highlights was to prepare and serve a hot Boy Scout Stew lunch to the 20 workers at the Habitat for Humanity house being built there in town; it was a good cold day for it too.  The journey to Eagle has now led to Tupelo, MS (Yocona Area Council) Boy Scout Troop #85.  Daniel has completed the rank of Life Scout and now receiving the Eagle Scout Award; this will always be with him, now he can continue his Scouting as a Man Scout because we all know "there is no end to the Eagle Scout Trail."

Daniel loves music! (just ask him), art, fishing, camping and scouting.  He likes to play soccer and baseball, and watches football on TV.  He will be attending ICC next fall semester and wants to major in music and eventually teach music and maybe play with Boston Pops Symphony Orchestra.  While a Cub Scout Daniel earned his God and Family Award and as a Boy Scout earned his God and Country Award both with Calvary Baptist Church of Brenham, TX.  He also has received a Presidential Award for Excellence and is a member of the National Honor Roll Society.

EAGLE SCOUT: April 29, 2004

Harry Kline Howell III passed his Eagle Board of Review on April 29, 2004.

His Eagle Project included visiting numerous Boy Scout troops in the Yocona Area Council, collecting 92 shoeboxes for "Operation Christmas Child." In addition, Harry helped with media coverage for OCC and organized boy scout volunteers to man the OCC collection center on Saturday of the collection week.

Harry has also be awarded the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Congressional Medals from the U.S. Congress for his achievements in personal development, community service, physical fitness, and expedition/exploration. The Gold Congressional Medal is America's highest award to youth.

He was the keynote speaker at the Congressional Awards Ceremony at the Mississippi Capitol last March, speaking before hundreds of parents and award recipients.

Harry has logged thousands of volunteer service hours to the community over the past three years, primarily at Touched By An Angel Ministries.

He is a certified BSA trained lifeguard. Harry recently qualified for national competition in team policy debate and extemporaneous speaking through the National Communicators For Christ Association.

Harry plans to major in International Studies and hopes to attend law school. Harry's interests include computers, politics and moral/conservative issues debate.

EAGLE SCOUT: October 5, 2003

Andrew Taylor Sparks joined the Cub Scout program as a Tiger Cub in 1995 in Pack 8. Receiving his Arrow of Light award in 2000, Taylor joined the Boy Scout program as a member of Troop 85.

On his climb on the trail to Eagle Scout, Taylor earned 30 merit badges, was elected to the Order of the Arrow and is a Brotherhood member and served as the OA Chapter Chief of the Apilachi District in the Yocona Area Council.

Taylor has served his troop as Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader and Troop Historian. At summer camps at Camp Yocona, Taylor has participated in the Mile Swim and has finished with three Mile Swim awards. Taylor participated in "Seven Habits of Effective Youth Leaders" in the spring of 2003.

Taylor’s Eagle Project was to rebuild the roof on one of the cabins at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor’s Center in Tupelo. With the help of Scouts from Troop 85, Troop 8, Troop 109, and the adult leaders, the project was completed in June of 2003.

In school, Taylor has been consistently on the Honor Roll for earning all A’s and B’s on his report card, served on the Student Council at Tupelo High School. He is in the Varsity Band this year and plays the French Horn and Mellophone.

Taylor is a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church and is active in its youth group. In the past, Taylor has represented St. Luke on the basketball team as a player and co-captain.