Excellence conceptThree achieve Eagle Scout rank
Three members of Troop 3 of the Cherokee Area Council of Boy Scouts of America earned the rank of Eagle Scout during a Court of Honor held Dec. 28 at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ooltewah.
Zach Ward, son of Jim and Celeste Ward, is a sophomore at McCallie School. He has completed 21 merit badges and serves as Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 3. For the community service project required of all Eagle Scouts, Zach organized and completed "Throw Out Cancer 5K" to benefit Emily's Power for a Cure.
The race, held at Hamilton Place mall, also honored his uncle, Steve Ward, and his friend, Dan Summerlin, both of whom are battling cancer. More than 200 runners participated and the event raised over $9,000.
Sam Hemrick, a freshman at Jacksonville State University, is the son of Margaret Hemrick and Ruben Hemrick. He has completed 21 merit badges and served in numerous leadership positions within the troop.
His service project coordinated a performance by the Ringgold High School marching, symphonic and jazz bands to benefit the Samaritan Center in Ooltewah. Concert admission was free, but audience members were asked to bring nonperishable food items for donation to the social-service agency. Several hundred food items were collected and delivered to the nonprofit.
Hardy Delay, son of Hardy and Ramona Delay, is a senior at Ringgold High School who has completed 32 merit badges.
For his community service project, he established a "Free Little Library." Working with the Ringgold, Ga., City Council, he got approval to place three Free Little Library units in town, allowing children the chance to read any number of books at no charge. Books were collected by his Scout troop, friends and family to encourage reading. He then obtained and refurbished three unused newspaper stands for future placement around Ringgold.
Between the three Scouts, more than 300 service hours by 60 volunteers were given to benefit Chattanooga and the North Georgia area.
- Compiled by staff writer Susan Pierce