Tony Wilcox Jr. of Troop 875 is presented with the Eagle Scout medal by Eagle Scout Honoree Jerry Jennett during the Alapaha Area Council Boy Scouts of America Annual Recognition Banquet at Park Avenue United Methodist Church Saturday evening. Wilcox was one of nine young men awarded with the Eagle Scout award during this banquet.

VALDOSTA — The 2008 Council Annual Recognition Banquet was filled with many surprise presentations and appreciation for youth volunteers Saturday at Park Avenue United Methodist Church.

The Eagle Scout Class led the opening ceremony. After dinner, Executive Board Member Rick Green gave a presentation of the Eagle Class Honoree Jerry Jennett, followed by the presentation of the 2007 Eagle Scout Class.

“We are proud to name this Eagle Class for you. It is your continued commitment to scouting that contributes to the standard of excellence that continues to touch the lives of scouts in unique and unimaginable ways,” said Green.

The Eagle Class of 2007 included: From Troop 875, with Scoutmaster Jim Owens, James L. Owens and Tony Channing Wilcox Jr.; from Troop 440, with Scoutmaster Calvin Williams, William Gay and Jonathan Bennett; from Troop 410, with Scoutmaster Bob DeLong, Alexander Elliot, Rishin Patel, J. Bradford Bynum Jr., J. Alexander Slater and Joseph Stevens; from Troop 859, with Scoutmaster Tony Fletcher, Kevin J. Walden and Ryan Spikes; from Troop 491, with Scoutmaster Greg Harbin and Dan Hoffman, James Carter, III and Jason Murphy, from Troop 468, with Scoutmaster Steven Dansereau, Dustin Cooper; from Troop 418, with Scoutmaster Paul Ellis, Thomas W. Giddens; from troop 415, with Scoutmaster Paul Watson, Christopher Dowse; Troop 828, with Scoutmaster Paul Gates, Paul Gates III; from Troop 832, with Scoutmaster Jamie Benson, Kyle Mazza; and from Troop 465, with Scoutmaster Andrew Soloman, Teddy Spikes.

Vice-president of Endowment Johnny Dukes presented the James E. West Fellowship Award on behalf of the Alapaha Area Council, recognizing individuals who contribute $1,000 or more in cash or securities to the council endowment fund. The three recipients of the James E. West Award, Hans Nilsen, Bill Murray and Jerry Jennett, make a total of 30 recipients since the council’s inception.

Vice President of Program Bill Gay joined Linda Miller, program specialist, at the podium for special recognition of successful sales within the Boys Scouts of America projects as well as a presentation to a very special salesman. Two troops within the Alapaha Area Council raised more than $17,000 in popcorn and magazine sales. Pack 454 managed to sell more than $20,000 in popcorn and magazines alone. Time Life Promotions presented Christian Leavitt of Pack 454 with a Dell laptop computer for single-handedly selling $1,200, with 30 percent of the sales in magazines for the first year of the project. Leavitt was so overjoyed and tackled Miller with a huge hug.

After Green presented the wood badge beads to Scout volunteers, he was treated to the special presentation of a Wood Badge Course SR-812 plaque.

Three individuals, Calvin Williams, Redden Hart, and Steven Dansereau, received the Silver Beaver Award. The Silver Beaver Award is the highest award that can be presented to a volunteer.

The Alapaha Area Council has had many successes in the past year and as such, they were nationally recognized for the second year in a row as a quality council. “This would not have happened without the hard work of volunteers, the board, and the staff of the council,” said Smith.

“The position of Council president comes with a tenure of two years. The time has come for our current council president to pass the gavel,” said Dukes as Smith jokingly hurried and passed the gavel to Clay Moseley, 2008 Council president. “I look forward to this job, Andy Smith is a hard act to follow , but with the dedicated staff and sound council, I know we can do this.” said Moseley.

The evening concluded with the introduction of the new scout executive, Bill Givler, whose duties will officially begin on Feb. 15. “I spent my first summer at Boy Scout Camp at the age of two with my dad. I chose to be a Boy Scout professional over using my English degree to be a professional writer, and I am happy with my choice,” said Givler. “I know that I have huge shoes to fill. But it’s great two see scouting this strong where I’m moving to and that motivates me.”

Givler reminded the council that two landmarks in time are approaching — the Boy Scouts of America’s 100-year anniversary as well as the 50-year anniversary of the Alapaha Area Council, both in two years.

“Thank you for what you are doing on a daily basis for the youth of our council. Congratulations again to all Eagle Scouts and their families. May 2008 be as successful as 2007, and I know with the talent, drive, and dedication of those in this room, it will be another great year for the scouts of South Georgia,” said Moseley.