Beech Tree News Network

Austin Phelps was awarded the Eagle Scout Rank during a ceremony at Morgantown Church of Christ on Saturday, joining approximately 4% of Boy Scouts in the nation.

According to Austin: “It’s a lot of hard work…. I’m not saying it isn’t fun… It’s really fun. And it’s satisfying whenever you go up a rank, and continue on a new journey through Boy Scouts.”
During the ceremony, Hawk Laughing recalled a story about a young Austin: “There was a climbing wall there, and he only had to go up halfway. We didn’t tell him how far he had gotten, we just kept encouraging him to go as far as he could, he got ¾ of the way up, and was giving it his all… but he knew that he couldn’t go on…. He came down, but he had already surpassed his goal. And Just like life, Austin, You’ve only met part of your goal, there’s always more to strive for, there’s always that next hill to climb. [Your Papaw] would be so proud, because he saw this moment so many years ago.

Justin Hudnall delivered the benediction after the ceremony, and attendees were invited to join Austin and his family at a reception catered by the Midway Homemakers, to honor the new Eagle.
Austin’s grandmother and primary guardian, Debra, had this to say about his experience with the Boy Scouts: “It’s the best thing to do, my child because of his background… he was afraid of everything. It gives him the courage to try new things. Being an Eagle, not everyone will make it. It’s something you have to want to do.”

Tracy Cowles recalled one of the steps Austin had to take to attain the Eagle status: “To get his Eagle award he had to pick a project that was important to the community… his grandmother worked at Community Head-start, and he said he wanted to give back. His [other] grandmother started working there, and she knew there were some things that needed worked on at the playground… he brought the playground pretty much up to code. Now that he did that, it’s his job to keep it maintained.
Scout Master Mike Newland remembers Austin’s first time at camp: “It was our first year as a troop to go.… first time away from home for many of them… the last night I could tell [Austin] was starting to get homesick… I said ‘it’s just one more night…’ “
With that encouragement, Austin persevered, and at the end thanked Scout Master Newland for his help.

“He tucked his fears away and was an example.  Most men are afraid of a 60 foot climbing wall. He made it 45 feet up. “Because of that, another younger Scout decided he wanted to try repelling.” Stated Hawk Laughing.
“Eagles do their best each day to make their training an example, their rank and influence count strongly for better Scouting and for better citizenship in their troop, in their community, and in their contacts with people. To this they pledge their sacred honor.”
-Eagle Scout Promise,

Story and photos by J. Harris, Beech Tree News