With all due respect to the Yellow Jackets that are their high school’s mascot, 2016 is the year of the Eagles in Starkville, Miss.
An impressive 12 members of the 2016 Starkville High School graduating class are Eagle Scouts. These young men reached Scouting’s highest honor and are going on to college — many to nearby Mississippi State and one to the U.S. Naval Academy.
Jeremy D. Whitmore, Eagle Scout and Scout Executive of Pushmataha Area Council, sent me news of this remarkable feat.
“As a small council, we average 25 to 30 Eagle Scouts annually,” he says. “These 12 young men represent a proud history of Scouting in east Mississippi. I know they all have bright futures ahead and will make a positive impact on their communities — and our nation — in the future.”
Meet the 12
- Aaren LaFrance of Troop 27 built benches at Homestead Education Center. After graduation, he plans to attend Mississippi State.
- Marshall Adair of Troop 14 completed a project at Laura’s Garden at First United Methodist Church. After graduation, he plans to attend the U.S. Naval Academy.
- David Usher of Troop 27 designed and built a bridge at Starkville Sportsplex. After graduation, he plans to attend Mississippi State.
- Cameron Maddox of Troop 14 established the first barn quilt trail in Mississippi by building the barn quilts. After graduation, he plans to attend Mississippi State.
- Matt Comish of Troop 14 designed and built dog houses for Oktibbeha County Humane Society. After graduation, he plans to attend Mississippi State.
- Ben Griffith of Troop 14 designed and built benches and competed landscaping for Wesley Foundation at MSU. After graduation, he plans to attend Mississippi State.
- Isaiah Knox of Troop 45 completed road signs at Homestead Education Center. After graduation, he plans attend the University of Mississippi or Southern Methodist University.
- Daniel Liffrig of Troop 14 designed and built a wheelchair-accessible walking bridge at Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. After graduation, he plans to attend Mississippi State.
- Mathew Gent of Troop 27 replaced the decking and handrails on a walking bridge at Starkville High School. After graduation, he plans to attend East Mississippi Community College or Mississippi State.
- Nathan Smith of Troop 27 improved a parking lot at the Morgan Hill Outlook of Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge. After graduation, he plans to attend Mississippi State.
- Parker Simpson of Troop 27 completed a basketball court restoration at George Evans Park. After graduation, he plans to attend Hinds Community College.
- Jamie Forrester of Troop 19 designed and built Morgan Chapel Playground. After graduation, he plans to attend East Mississippi Community College or Mississippi State.
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Contribute to the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Scholarship Fund. Donations to this fund go directly to providing scholarships to deserving Eagle Scouts, allowing them to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact on the world.
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