Gafford makes Eagle Scout
MICHELLE STYRON/THE GREENVILLE STANDARD
Feb. 27 at First United Methodist Church in Greenville Ben Gafford, son of Guy Gafford and Melinda Ainsworth, was recognized for his hard work, commitment and diligence in the Boy Scout community, when he participated in his Eagle Scout ceremony.
Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in the Boy Scouts organization. Those scouts working towards Eagle Scout must fulfill requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills.
According to www.scouting.org, only about five percent of all Boy Scouts earn the honor of Eagle Scout.
Gafford began working toward Eagle Scout his ninth-grade year of high school and completed all tasks involved with earning the honor his senior-year of high school.
The Eagle Scout project Gafford chose was making six outside tables for Greenville High School. With a little help from people such as Hubert Little at Mix-N-Match, who provided stain for the tables, scouts of Troop 520, who assisted with construction of the tables, and Marvin’s, which provided the materials, the project was off to a very good start.
Gafford’s Scout Masters were eager to tell how this was such a big accomplishment, what a leader he was among the youth and how he earned Patrol Leader twice, consecutively, which is rather unusual.
Scout Master Kim Newton said, “Ben is one of the best youth leaders we have had.”
She continued by saying that Gafford had completed trainings such as Leave No Trace Behind, a training that focuses on leaving the Earth in better shape than you found it, and National Youth Leadership Training.
When asked if he had anything to say about his accomplishment, Gafford said, “I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support and encouragement, most especially my parents and my family, who have helped mold me into the man I am today. I am also especially thankful to my Scout Master, Kim Newton. She has been here with me and for me since the beginning and to the end of my scout journey. Lastly, I would like to also thank my fellow members of Troop 520, the new Scout Master, Assistant Scout Master and Tuckabatchee Area Council for their support in helping me achieve this goal.”
