Words by Jenny Lynn Davis | Images by Al Blanton
Alabama State Senator Matt Woods (R – Jasper) recently presented Parker Miles, a rising 11th grader at Jasper High School, with a Senate resolution recognizing his achievement of the Eagle Scout rank – one of the highest honors in Scouting.
Parker, a member of BSA Troop 10, earned the rank just before his 16th birthday, capping nearly a decade of dedication to scouting that began when he was in first grade.
“As his parents, we absolutely couldn’t be prouder,” said Parker’s mother, Misty Miles.
For his Eagle Scout project, Parker turned to his greatest passion: fishing. Inspired by fishing line recycling receptacles he had seen on a beach pier, he installed similar stations at Walker County Lake, giving anglers a place to deposit used fishing line rather than leaving it in the water or the surrounding environment.
“He loves to fish; he’s a fisherman at heart,” Misty Miles said. “That’s why he did what he did, because that was true to who he is.”
Senator Woods praised both the project and the Scout behind it. “Parker showed great leadership in his Eagle Scout project at Walker County Lake that’ll be a benefit to a lot of folks,” Woods said. “Parker’s got a great future ahead of himself.”
Parker credited his father, Steven Miles, as his biggest source of support throughout his Scouting journey. “He’s always been helping me through Boy Scouts, always pushed me to do more,” Parker said. WL
