Words and Images by Jenny Lynn Davis
A Court of Honor ceremony was held Saturday, December 13, at Jasper First Methodist Church, honoring Wylie Aldeen and Drew Matthews for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest honor. Family members, friends, fellow Scouts, and community leaders gathered to celebrate the milestone.
The ceremony opened with a welcome and invocation from Pastor James Johnson, who spoke about faithfulness, service, and character. He reminded those in attendance that the Eagle Scout rank represents perseverance, leadership, and character tested over time. He noted that doing one’s duty does not require perfection, but a willingness to do one’s best.
Following the presentation of colors and the Pledge of Allegiance, Scouts recited the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Longtime Troop 10 leader Bucky Kinsaul then addressed the audience, offering a perspective on the years of effort that went into the honor. “When someone says ‘Eagle Scout,’ society understands what that means,” he said. “Dependable, trustworthy, goal-oriented, humble, and willing to serve.”
Assistant Scoutmasters Stephen Miles and Harris Rhodes formally presented Wylie and Drew as Eagle Scouts. During the ceremony, their neckerchiefs were changed to reflect their new rank, and parents were invited forward to pin the Eagle Scout insignia on their uniforms. Fellow Eagle Scouts, including adult leaders, also joined in affirmation of the achievement.
As part of the Eagle Scout requirements, both young men completed extensive service projects benefiting the community. In the fall of 2024, Wylie led a team of volunteers in designing and building a wooden footbridge on a trail at Camp McDowell, improving safety and accessibility for campers enjoying the lake area. That same fall, Drew organized volunteers to renovate the courtyard at the Jasper Area Family Services Center, where they built a pergola, picnic table, and benches, and updated the landscaping so the space could be safely used by the nonprofit organizations housed there.
During the ceremony, Drew reflected on years of shared experiences in Scouting, from camping trips and cold nights outdoors to merit badge work and learning new skills. “It’s amazing how much Wylie and I have accomplished together,” he said.
Wylie spoke about the lasting impact Scouting has had on his life. “Scouting has been a huge part of my life. It gave me skills, friendships, hobbies, and inspired my career as a chef,” he said. He expressed gratitude to his family, leaders, and fellow Scouts for their encouragement along the way.
The ceremony also included the presentation of parent and mentor pins, a tradition recognizing those who provided guidance and support throughout the Scouting process. Wylie presented his mentor pin to Bucky Kinsaul, while Drew presented his to Harris Rhodes.
At another Eagle Scout Court of Honor held earlier this year, Troop 10 Scoutmaster Dan Giles told The Walker Leader that he and Stephen Miles founded Troop 10 in 2008 and have guided nearly 40 young people to the Eagle rank over the years.
“We started this troop because we wanted to do Scouts the traditional way – hands-on, outdoors, and family-oriented,” Giles shared. “From 2008 until now, it’s been a really rewarding experience. A lot of work, a lot of time, a lot of stress, but worth every bit of it.”
Congratulations to Wylie Aldeen and Drew Matthews on achieving this prestigious rank! WL
