Meet your 2025 Silver Buffalo, Silver Antelope classes

Scouting America volunteers help transform the lives of this country’s youth, preparing them to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes.

To honor certain Scouters and others for their outstanding efforts, Scouting America bestows what is known as the Silver Family of Scouting America awards. These include the council-level Silver Beaver, territory-level Silver Antelope and national-level Silver Buffalo. These awards are given to recipients of exceptional character for their extraordinary service to America’s youth.

Fourteen Scouters were recently named to join an illustrious list of Silver Buffalo recipients. Created in 1925, the Silver Buffalo is Scouting’s highest honor for adults. It comes with a red-and-white Silver Buffalo Award medal and a square knot to wear on the uniform. Past recipients have included the organization’s founders, U.S. presidents, astronauts, corporate executives and civic leaders.

The Silver Antelope, created in 1942, honors Scouters who have provided distinguished service within one of Scouting America’s territories. It comes with an orange-and-white knot to wear on the uniform and an orange-and-white ribbon medal.

Both classes will be formally honored during Scouting America’s National Annual Meeting (the Silver Antelope honorees on May 14 and the Silver Buffalo honorees on May 15) in Orlando, Fla. You can register now for the meeting; the registration deadline is March 31.

This year’s Silver Buffalo class

• David Thomas Berry, Keller, Texas (National Council)
• Hon. Gerard J. Boyle, Campton, N.H. (Daniel Webster Council)
• Edward Andrew “Andy” Chapman, Lake Arthur, La. (Sam Houston Area Council)
• Gary Christiansen, Santa Clarita, Calif. (Western Los Angeles County Council)
• Donna Jean Copeland, Bartlesville, Okla. (Cherokee Area Council)
• Julie A. Dalton, Wichita, Kan. (Quivira Council)
• David Michael Ehrlich, Farmington Hills, Mich. (Michigan Crossroads Council)
• William “Bill” Goebel, Greensboro, N.C. (Occoneechee Council)
• Linda Goff, Oak Ridge, Tenn. (Great Smoky Mountain Council)
• James K. Hendren, Little Rock, Ark. (Natural State Council)
• Timothy I. Malaney, Chula Vista, Calif. (San Diego-Imperial Council)
• Brad Tilden, Seattle, Wash. (Chief Seattle Council)
• William “Bill” Topkis, Park City, Utah (Crossroads of the West Council)
• Daniel Walters, San Leandro, Calif. (Golden Gate Area Council)

This year’s Silver Antelope class

Territory 1

Terrel W. Miller, Layton, Utah (Crossroads of the West Council)

Marlys M. Olson, Salem, Ore. (Cascade Pacific Council)

Matthew C. Patten, Central Point, Ore. (Pacific Crest Council)

Territory 3

Jo Ann Jung Mo, Monrovia, Calif. (Western Los Angeles County Council)

Clint E. Takeshita, Dublin, Calif. (Pacific Skyline Council)

Territory 4

Michael C. Lewis, Rapid City, S.D. (Black Hills Area Council)

Loren B. Meinke, Brainerd, Minn. (Central Minnesota Council)

Territory 5

Joseph Black, Denver, Colo. (Greater Colorado Council)

Ronald F. Colletti, Wildwood, Mo. (Greater St. Louis Area Council)

Mark A. Pluff, Waterloo, Ill. (Greater St. Louis Area Council)

Territory 6

Jeremiah J. Arnold, Fox Point, Wis. (Three Harbors Council)

Donald P. Harris, Huntley, Ill. (Pathway to Adventure Council)

Territory 7

Gary Brian Chassells, Corpus Christi, Texas (South Texas Council)

Dr. Brian Dockendorf, Shreveport, La. (Norwela Council)

Michael Files, Austin, Texas (Capitol Area Council)

Territory 8

David M. Hamilton, Paris, Texas (Circle Ten Council)

Paul R. Moore, Edmond, Okla. (Last Frontier Council)

Territory 9

Mary Catherine Arehart, Spring Arbor, Mich. (Michigan Crossroads Council)

Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, Findlay, Ohio (Black Swamp Area Council)

Territory 10

John Arico, Bedford, N.H. (Daniel Webster Council)

George J. Bacalles, Corning, N.Y. (Great Falls Council)

Territory 12

Christopher W. Castillo, Newark, Del. (Baltimore Area Council)

Arden D. Dougan, Alexandria, Va. (National Capital Area Council)

Joshua A. Kirby, State College, Pa. (Juniata Valley Council)

Territory 13

Wayne E. Gross, Canadensis, Pa. (Minsi Trails Council)

Territory 14

Karen Bengtson, Mt. Juliet, Tenn. (Middle Tennessee Council)

Jennifer H. Chapin, Peachtree Corners, Ga. (Atlanta Area Council)

Christopher J. Manning, Knoxville, Tenn. (Great Smoky Mountain Council)

Carter J. Wood, Hoschton, Ga. (Northeast Georgia Council)

Territory 15

Michael D. Matzinger, High Point, N.C. (Old North State Council)

Territory 16

Thomas C. Hochhausler, Tampa, Fla. (Greater Tampa Bay Area Council)