Scouts Honor

by: James Dobbs

WVU Parkersburg faculty and staff members, Public Safety Dispatcher Brandon Amos and Director of Institutional Advancement and Research Jeremy Starkey, received the NESC Outstanding Eagle Scout Award.

Amos is Scoutmaster in Troop 86 from Mineral Wells, W.Va., and Starkey is in Troop 116 from Parkersburg, W.Va.

This award is given to Eagle Scouts whom are still take active in scouting. The award was created to recognize notable Eagle Scouts who had either preformed their distinguished service closer to home or who were known nationally, but had not yet met the 25-year tenure as an Eagle requirement for the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

To receive the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award, one must be nominated by someone in the council.

“I feel honored to have received this award. I was very surprised to receive it. To be honest, I didn’t even know that this award was available, but realized it was fairly new. The outstanding Eagle Scout award started in 2011, and there have only been two or three people from the Allohak Council to receive it,” Amos said.

From his start in fourth grade as a Cub Scout, Brandon Amos strived for greatness. Amos moved up the ranks from a Cub Scout to a Boy Scout after receiving his Arrow of Light award. Amos then made his way to Eagle Scout in 2004. After hard work and dedication as an Assistant Scoutmaster, Amos became the Scoutmaster in 2009.

“Being an Eagle Scout gave me a sense of accomplishment. It is not an easy task to become an Eagle Scout. You must complete 21 Merit Badges, complete an Eagle Scout project, community service projects and provide leadership to your troop,” Amos said.

Amos is a husband and a father of two sons. His oldest son, age six, is following in his footsteps. He is currently a Lion in Cub Scout Pack 86 in Mineral Wells, W.Va.

Being a scout and avid fan of the outdoors, Amos likes to spend most of his free time doing outdoor activities with his family. Amos also volunteers with the West Virginia Interstate Fair and Exposition in his free time.

“I’m proud to say that I am an Eagle Scout,” Amos said.