Report to the Nation delegates deliver good news to Washington

Finally, something everyone in our nation’s capital can agree on: The Boy Scouts of America prepare youth for life.

That’s why the BSA sends a delegation of Scouts from different backgrounds, ethnicities, and Scouting programs to Washington each year to deliver the Report to the Nation. It’s a reminder to everyone that the Boy Scouts, established by congressional charter in 1916, still have a profound affect on our nation.

The report itself is a by-the-numbers look back at 2012 for the BSA. Highlights include 2.6 million youth members served, more than 13.4 million hours of service performed, and a record 58,659 Eagle Scout badges awarded.

Read on to meet this year’s delegates, read the report, and see photos of the Scouts’ tour of Washington. 

The delegates

Matthew Edmondson Brown – Eagle Scout and National Order of the Arrow Chief

Matt is a 20-year-old Eagle Scout from Brentwood, Tenn., in the Middle Tennessee Council, headquartered in Nashville. He joined when he was ­­­­­­­­­­­age 6 and has participated in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He is now an Eagle Scout, a Vigil Honor member of the Order of the Arrow, and a member of the James E. West Fellowship. He currently serves as National Chief of the Order of the Arrow, representing more than 300,000 members around the country. 

Matt is a student at Lipscomb University where he is planning on graduating in 2015 with a degree in Accounting and will pursue a Masters of Accountancy. After completing his undergraduate work, he plans to sit for the CPA Exam and attend Law School. He has a passion to become a Certified Public Accountant.

He has earned many awards in Scouting, including: the Arrow of Light, Eagle Scout, Good Servant Religious Emblem, Founders Award, James E. West Fellowship, and the OA Legacy Fellowship.

Nicholas Darren Cobb – Eagle Scout

Nicholas is a 16-year-old Eagle Scout from Allen, Texas, in the Circle Ten Council, headquartered in Dallas, Texas. He joined when he was age 6 as a Tiger Cub. During his Scouting experiences, he earned the Arrow of Light, God and Country award, and his Eagle award.

In 2009, he started his own nonprofit, “Comfort and Joy,” dedicated to helping the homeless. His organization helps the homeless with purchasing coats, building healthy gardens for children, providing college book scholarships, and has assisted a community senior citizen home. Through his work, he has been recognized in many ways, including being named Youth Philanthropist of the Year by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, DFW Chapter.

Nicholas has been recognized academically as well, and has been a member of prominent and scholarly societies such as, Texas High Schools Aerospace Scholars, National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America chapter, National Spanish Honor Society, and the A Honor Roll.

Aaron Clifton – Life Scout

Aaron is a 15-year-old Life Scout from McMinnville, Ore., in the Cascade Pacific Council, headquartered in Portland, Ore. He joined the Cub Scouts at age 7 and has experienced the outdoors in the Scouting program for the past eight years. During his tenure as a Scout, he earned his Arrow of Light, Presidential Medal for the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and Religious medal. He is also a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and amassed 125 nights of camping.

He served in many positions throughout his time as a Scout, including a troop historian, patrol leader, assistant patrol leader, chaplain’s aide, and is currently serving as senior patrol leader for Troop 266. He has three more merit badges to complete before Eagle.  

Aaron feels a compelling need to help others as others have helped him, and feels it is important that people understand children are an asset to their communities if given the chance. He, with the assistance of adults, is spreading the word about hunger and how it affects others.

Once he graduates high school, he aspires to become a member of the Secret Service. He wants to be able to use all the things he has learned in Scouting to help protect our country and those who govern it for us.

Rachel Carrie Eddowes – Venturing Silver Award Venturer

Rachel is a 19-year-old Venturer from Virginia Beach, Va., in the Tidewater Council, headquartered in Virginia. She grew up in Girl Scouts and joined Venturing five years ago. Her awards and honors include: Girl Scout Gold Award, Venturing Bronze in four areas of interest, Venturing Gold and Silver Awards, and the Venturing Leadership Award.

Her leadership involvement has been shown through her local Venturing Crew positions and her current service as the council’s Venturing Officer Association President. Her skills have been shared by serving on the staff of the National Youth Leadership Training and the National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience, or NAYLE. She attends college at George Mason University where she studies Communications and plans to graduate in 2016.

Her commitment to serving others is shown as she continues to live by the motto, “Don’t Give Up The Ship.” Her volunteer efforts have awarded her with the Youth Volunteer Award from VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Bronze Citizenship Medal for her local patriotic activities and outstanding qualities of citizenship.

Kevin Hernandez – Eagle Scout

Kevin is a 17-year-old Eagle Scout from Mine Hill, N.J., of the Patriots Path Council, headquartered in Florham Park, N.J. He joined the Scouts at age 6 and has been involved for the past 12 years. His accomplishments include: Arrow of Light award, Eagle Scout Award, James E. West Fellowship, Youth Leadership Award, Scout Executive Achievement Award, and the Scout Scholar Athlete Award.

His goal when he graduates high school is to go to college and study Business with a focus in Finance. He has been able to gain experience in this interest by managing events he oversees. His strong leadership abilities have been shown through the troop, district, council, and national level. He serves as a youth representative on the National Boy Scouts of America’s Marketing Committee, and is a member of the National Youth Involvement Task Force. In his local council, he is the president of the Youth Executive Committee, a councilwide group of youth leaders focused on growing membership of Scouts over age 15, and providing youth input to the council strategic plans and council committees.

Kevin is an American Red Cross lifeguard, certified in CPR/AED and first aid, and is a member of the National Honor Society. Through his academic accomplishments, he was selected to be a member of Boys State and was elected Mayor. He belongs to the Key and Ski clubs and plays varsity volleyball.

Matthew Ryan Miller – Eagle Scout and National Sea Scout Boatswain

Matt is a 19-year-old Eagle Scout and National Sea Scout Boatswain from Katy, Texas, in the Sam Houston Area Council, headquartered in Houston. He began his Scouting career as a Tiger Cub at age 6 and has been involved for the past 13 years. He currently attends Houston Community College where he is taking his core classes and leading toward a major in Marine Transportation. He plans to graduate in 2018. Matthew currently serves as the top youth leader for the Sea Scouts.

His awards and experience include: Arrow of Light, Sea Scout Quartermaster, Eagle Scout, Venturing Gold, 4 Star Protestant Award, National Outdoor Award, Order of the Arrow Brotherhood, SEAL, Kodiak X, and National Advanced Youth Leadership Experience.

His experience as a Scout and Sea Scout has provided him with many leadership opportunities and water-sailing experiences. Through his involvement in the program, he has qualified as a Leave No Trace Trainer, a NAUI Scuba Certified diver, and has sailed on the United States Coast Guard Barque Eagle.

Benjamin Sanchez – Eagle Scout

Ben is a 16-year-old Eagle Scout from Santa Ana, Calif., in the Orange County Council, headquartered in Santa Ana. He joined the Scouting program as a Tiger Cub when he was 6 years old. He progressed through the ranks of Cub Scouting, earning his Arrow of Light award.

His other honors and awards include: Eagle Scout with 44 merit badges, member of the Order of the Arrow, youth representative on the Diocese of Orange Catholic Committee on Scouting, completion of all four Roman Catholic religious emblems, and the Four Pillar of Faith Award. He also serves as a member of the boards of review for two of the religious awards selection committees.

Currently, his favorite subjects in school include math and science. After high school, Ben wants to study engineering and ultimately have his own business. He also aspires to go to law school and practice law. Outside of school and Scouts he is involved on the JV golf team, his campus ministry and table tennis clubs.

Tyler Boyd Spangenberg – Wolf Cub Scout

Tyler is a 7-year-old Wolf Cub Scout from Pensacola, Fla. in the Gulf Coast Council, headquartered in Pensacola, Fla. He is a fourth-generation Scout and represents the legacy of Scouting while reflecting the multi-generational aspect of Scouting heritage and traditions. All four family generations are currently active in Scouting. In his short time with the program, he has earned his Tiger and Wolf badges, the Outdoor Activity Award, Summertime Pack Award, and many belt loops.

He aspires to be a fireman when he grows up because they help put out fires and save people, and help people or animals get out of trees, he says. As a second-grader, his favorite subject is math. Through his school work, he has achieved the recognition of being an Accelerated Reading Star.

Mike and Kaye Daniel – Host couple

Mike and Kaye Daniel are from Pittsburgh and are serving as this year’s Report to the Nation Host Couple. They have two Eagle Scouts sons and two grandchildren.

Mike serves on the National Council, Boy Scouts of America Executive Board, and is the Chairman of the National Advisory Council. His volunteer activities include: former president of the Greater Pittsburgh Council and member of the Northeast Region Board. He is a practicing attorney and a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, lecturing extensively on topics related to estate, trust, and charitable organization planning. He also donates his time to the Wounded Warrior Project, Baptist Homes Foundation, and the Pennsylvania Bar Association.

Kaye volunteers as a member of the Visiting Committee for WVU Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources & Design, and is currently chairman of the Comprehensive Campaign Committee. She also serves as a National Council representative from the Laurel Highland’s Council, is a former member of the Urban Emphasis Committee, and chair of the Whitney Young Memorial dinner.

The infographic

Check out a visual summary of the 2012 Report to the Nation below. Feel free to print this and share it with your unit and/or your community.

(Click infographic to enlarge)

The photos

The BSA’s Report to the Nation 2012 Flickr page gives you an on-the-ground look at what the delegates are up to. As you can see, each day is packed with visiting high-ranking officials, touring museums and memorials, and enjoying the company of fellow Scouts and new friends.

Check out a few of my favorite photos below.

Photos by Michael Roytek/BSA