Steve Papppas is in the Boy Scout Hall of Leadership

Scouters from as far as Galax, Wytheville, Marion, Lynchburg, New Castle and Buchanan gathered November 13th, 2010 at the Sheraton Roanoke Plaza Hotel to celebrate leadership at the 2010 Eagle Scout and Volunteer Recognition Banquet for the Boy Scouts of America, Blue Ridge Mountains Council, which serves 21 Counties and 9 Cities in Southwest, Central and Southside Virginia. The Council represents a total of 33 full-time and 6 part-time employees, nearly 6,000 volunteers, over 300 local charter organizations, and 470 Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops and Venturing crews providing quality Scouting experiences for over 16,000 youth and families each year.

Scouts and scouters alike found themselves in an unusual scouting scenario. They were dining inside, on china rather then the usual mess kits and camp gear they are so comfortable using. They dressed in “Class A” attire — an official dress uniform, rather than their hiking shorts, boots and “gators”. Table knives replaced pocket knives as the usual fellowship engaged. Among this year’s Eagle Class were seated several special award recipients.

Four William T. Hornaday Gold Badge Awards were presented for distinguished volunteer service to conservation, and one Silver Medal Award was bestowed. An annual Hall of Leadership Award was presented, as well as eight Silver Beaver Awards for Distinguished and Outstanding Volunteer Service to Youth. Five of those eight recipients were in the Catawba District, which serves the northern half of Roanoke and Roanoke County, Salem, Botetourt County (except the Colonial Elementary School area) and Craig County. They are David Foster (Salem), Frank Hannabass (Salem), Larry Howell (Raleigh Court), Clyde Landreth (Catawba) and Steve Pappas (Daleville).

Locally, Steve Pappas is known as the Scoutmaster of Troop 211, chartered by St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Daleville. He earned his eagle scout in 1967 and is a member of the Order of the Arrow scouting fraternity. He was the Cubmaster of Pack 137 in Troutville from 1997-2004, then became Scoutmaster of Troop 211. He has served as a contingent leader to Florida Sea Base and Philmont Scout Reservation, as well as Scoutmaster of Troop 1731 for the National Jamboree this past summer. He is also the recipient of the United Methodist Cross and Flame Award for service to youth. Mr. Pappas is a graduate of UVA, and a veteran of the USAF and the WV Air National Guard, currently working as a senior instructor pilot for US Airways.

The Recognition dinner honored Eagle scouts who by definition have earned at least 21 merit badges and demonstrated Scout Spirit through the Boy Scout Oath and Law, service, and leadership. This includes an extensive service project that the Scout plans, organizes, leads, and manages. Eagle Scouts are presented with a medal and a badge that visibly recognizes the accomplishments of the Scout. Additional recognition can be earned through Eagle Palms, awarded for completing additional tenure, leadership, and merit badge requirements. 169 Eagle Scouts were celebrated from the BRMC this year, during the Centennial Celebration of the scouting movement in America. Matt Crush, a senior at Lord Botetourt and 2010 Eagle Scout from Troop 211 was recognized at the dinner as well.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men. The title of Eagle Scout is held for life, thus giving rise to the phrase “Once an Eagle, always an Eagle”.

Catawba Troop 211 meets on Tuesday evenings at 7pm at St. Mark’s United Methodist Church in Daleville (across from Kroger).

Learn more about scouting at http://www.bsa-brmc.org

Submitted by bsa-brmc