Eight Fort Mill Cub Scouts Receive Supernova Award

On Monday, June 1, 2015, Pack 832 at Philadelphia United Methodist Church in Fort Mill, SC presented eight Cub Scouts with the Dr. Luis Alvarez Supernova Award.

There have been many Scouts to earn the Nova awards, but these eight Scouts are the first in the York District and the Palmetto Council to earn the Supernova Award. To date there have been less than 50 Cub Scouts earn the Supernova Award nationwide. 

To earn the Supernova Award, Scouts are first recommended to earn two Nova Awards. The Nova Awards are awards based on different Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) subjects. The awards were created in 2012 to excite the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of America to look at the S.T.E.M. fields as a career choice. Most of the Cub Scouts of Pack 832 completed the Supernova Award by earning the "Science Everywhere" and the "Swing!" Nova Awards.

To earn the Nova Awards, Scouts were required to discuss subjects in different science fields, watch (or read) science material and discuss the items with a counselor. Then, the Scouts had to earn multiple belt loops above and beyond any they earned for rank. For each Nova Award, they were also required to perform a science experiment using the scientific process (or scientific method) for each Nova Award. After earning at least two Nova Awards, the Scouts were then allowed to start work on the Supernova Award.

The Supernova Award takes the Scouts deeper into S.T.E.M. fields. Each Scout was required to do research on Dr. Luis Alvarez, whom this award is named after, as well as 3 additional scientists of their choosing.  The Cub Scouts discussed their findings with their Council approved mentor. They also met a pilot who uses STEM everyday in his career and discussed what they learned with their mentor.

Each Scout was required to earn his Math and Science Academic belt loops and academic pins. Most Scouts also earned the Weather and Geology belt loops and academic pins, the Geography belt loop, and  the Softball belt loop or the Hockey belt loop.

Congratulations, Scouts!  

Congratulations, Todd Davis!

Please join the Palmetto Council in congratulating Mr. Todd Davis on his selection to serve as Senior District Executive in the Blue Ridge Council effective July 1, 2015.  Todd has successfully served as the Catawba District Executive for three years with impressive results.  The Catawba District finished 2014 with a Journey to Excellence Silver Award designation.  Todd was very influential in the development of a Hispanic Outreach program partnership which brought Scouting programs to several undeserved neighborhoods in his district. 

We are thankful to have Todd's leadership as part of the Palmetto Council.  Good luck to Todd and his family as he continues to grow in his Scouting career!  

PALMETTO COUNCIL NAMES SENATOR HAYES AS 2015 DISTINGUISHED CITIZEN, PEYTON MANNING GIVES KEYNOTE SPEECH

The Palmetto Council, Boy Scouts of America recognized Eagle Scout and Senator Wes Hayes as the 2015 Council Distinguished Citizen during their annual recognition dinner event on March 26th. The keynote speech was given by Five-Time NFL MVP quarterback Peyton Manning. The event was held in partnership with Winthrop University and welcomed over 500 donors, civic leaders, and business professionals from across the Upstate of South Carolina.

Eagle Scout and Senator Robert Wesley (Wes) Hayes, Jr. was born in 1952, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, to Robert W. Hayes and Wilbur Kirkland Hayes. He graduated from Rock Hill High School in 1971, after which he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. While at West Point, Wes was elected President of his Class and served as a Battalion Commander. Upon leaving active service, he became a member of the South Carolina Army National Guard from 1980-2005, in which he held the rank of Colonel.

Soon after he left Fort Bragg, Wes enrolled at the University of South Carolina School of Law. There he was elected President of the Student Bar Association, served on the South Carolina Law Review, and was a member of the Order of the Coif. After graduating in 1983, he practiced at Harrelson, Hayes and Guyton, later founding his own firm in Rock Hill. 

Wes is actively involved in the Rock Hill community. Currently, he serves on the boards of the York County Chapter of the American Red Cross, Westminster Towers, South Carolina Bank and Trust of the Piedmont, and Guardian Fidelity Mortgage Corporation. He has long attended Westminster Presbyterian Church. One of Wes's keen interests has been involvement with the Boy Scouts of America, an organization that played a key role in his own youth. He was Chairman of the York District Boy Scouts of America from 1985-1991 and Council President for the Palmetto Council, Boy Scouts of America 2010-2012. In addition, he served as Chairman of the State Government United Way Campaign for the 2011-2012 Campaign and Chairman of the Rock Hill United Way Campaign in 1992. Wes belongs to a number of other organizations, including the American Legion, Kiwanis, Elks, Gideons, Christian Legal Society, National Lawyers Association, state and county Bar Associations, and Republican Party. Since 1991, he has represented District 15 in the South Carolina Senate, after serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1985-1991. Wes currently chairs the Banking and Insurance Committee. Previously, he chaired the Senate Ethics Committee for a number of years.

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, the league’s only five-time MVP and a 14-time Pro Bowl selection, has earned his place among the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks as the active leader in nearly every statistical passing category. Since entering the NFL in 1998, joining the Indianapolis Colts as the first overall draft pick, Manning has thrown the most touchdown passes (530) in league history in addition to ranking second in wins by a quarterback (179), completions (5,927) and passing yards (69,691).

Manning’s 14 postseason berths rank first among quarterbacks in league annals along with his 91 career 300-yard passing games. Named a first-team All-Pro selection by the Associated Press on seven occasions, Manning was named No. 1 on his native Louisiana's list of all-time greatest athletes by The Times-Picayune.

In each of his three seasons with Denver, Manning has led the Broncos to an AFC West Division title and a first-round postseason bye. During that time, he ranks first in the NFL in regular-season wins (38), passing touchdowns (131) and completions percentage (67.7).

Presenting partners for the event were Williams and Fudge and Founders Federal Credit Union. The dinner co-chairs for 2015 were Mr. Gary Williams (Chairman of the Board, Williams and Fudge) and Mr. Bruce Brumfield (President and CEO, Founders Federal Credit Union).

The event raised nearly $400,000 to support character development and outdoor education programs delivered by the Palmetto Council.

The Palmetto Council is a United Way partner agency delivering character education programs to more than 4,500 families in Spartanburg, Cherokee, Union, York, Lancaster, and Chester Counties.

Victor Durrah honored with Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership

Victor Durrah Jr. has dedicated himself to living a life of a servant leader.  During the Spartanburg County Foundation's Annual Meeting, Victor was recognized with the Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership & Community Change.  Victor currently serves at the Senior District Executive of the Daniel Morgan District.  He is also the executive director of Brothers Restoring Urban Hope (BRUH).   Victor was chosen by a selection committee from numerous nominees for his service to disadvantaged youth in the Spartanburg Community.  

The Mary L. Thomas Award is named after Mary Thomas, the chief operating officer of The Spartanburg County Foundation.  This award is a legacy from Thomas’s 2006 recognition as the recipient of the Council on Foundation’s Robert W. Scrivner Award for Creative Grantmaking. Upon receiving the Scrivner award and $10,000 cash prize, Thomas used these funds as seed money to open The Mary L. Thomas Award for Civic Leadership and Community Change Fund and started a similar recognition program in Spartanburg. Through the support of numerous individuals and the Spartanburg community, Thomas’s initial gift of $10,000 grew to exceed $100,000, which has permanently endowed the award. The award annually honors individuals who, like Mary, are community leaders, innovators, and contributors to positive community change.

Read the Spartanburg Herald-Journal article 

2014 Silver Beaver Class Announced

2014 SILVER BEAVER CLASS 

The Palmetto Council is excited to recognize the volunteer efforts of six individuals by presenting them the Silver Beaver Awards.  The Silver Beaver is the highest award a local council can bestow upon a volunteer.  Please join us in congratulating our 2014 Silver Beaver Class!  

JIMMY P. SUMMERS

Jimmy was born in Sumter, SC, the youngest of five siblings.  As a young boy, he became active in Scouting and earned his Eagle Scout Award at the age of 14. After graduating from Clemson University, he began working for Milliken in Pendleton, SC.  He married his wife Laura  in 1988, and became active in a Boy Scout Troop in Clemson as their Scoutmaster.  During this time, Jimmy and Laura had a son, Philipp, who accompanied the troop on many camp-outs.  In 1992 Jimmy and his family moved to Kernersville, NC, for a career move.  During his 10 years in North Carolina Jimmy and Laura  became the parents of Rachael, Jack, and Alex.  He  remained active in Scouting, as an assistant leader to the Boy Scout Troop and Cub Scout Pack at Main Street United Methodist.  In 2002, the family moved to Rock Hill, SC.  Jimmy assisted with Troop 33 before helping to re-activate Troop 109 at Woodland United Methodist Church in 2003.  He serves as Scoutmaster there, and is currently also the Cubmaster of Pack 109.  During his time at Troop 109, his oldest son, Philipp, has earned Eagle Scout, and his two younger sons, Jack and Alex, have earned their Arrow of Light and are beginning to plan their Eagle Scout projects.  Jimmy is also very active in the Order of the Arrow as the Vice Chief of Program Advisor and on the Camp Bob Hardin Program Committee as the Promotions Chairman.  Jimmy is actively involved in the congregation of Woodland UMC as a Sunday School teacher, Disciple teacher, Youth counselor, and organizer of the   annual Prison Ministries meal.  

BRITT HELMS SR. 

Britt has been part of the Scouting program for 44 years.  He began his scouting career in 1971 as a Cub Scout and went on to earn his Arrow of Light Award.  In 1974 he crossed over from the Cub Scouts to Boy Scout Troop 108 in Fort Mill.  He was a very active Scout and honed his Leaderships Skills by attending Brownsea Double-Two in 1976. (Known today as NYLT).  He earned his Order of the         Arrow Ordeal in 1978 and his Brotherhood in 1979, both while serving on camp staff at Camp Palmetto.  1979 was also a key moment in his Scouting career as he was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout and became a member of NESA.  He joined the ranks of adult leadership as an Assistant Scoutmaster in 1982.  He filled the role of Explorer Post Advisor of Post 212 in Fort Mill from 1987 until 1989.  During this time he attended National Camping School, served as Assistant Camp Director and Camp Director at Camp Bob Hardin.  Some of Britt’s awards include Explorer Post Advisor of the Year-1988 and  Order of the Arrow Vigil from Skyuka Lodge 270-1990, the Daniel Carter Beard Award-2011 and District Award of Merit-2012.  In 1992 he began a five year service as an Assistant Explorer Post Advisor for Post 1082 at Unity Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill. He also served on the Troop 108 Committee from 1994 until 2004.   In 2004 his son wanted to join Cub Scouts.  He quickly signed up as his son’s Tiger Cub Leader, moved onto the Den Leader and eventually Assistant Cubmaster and Cubmaster.  Britt participated in Wood Badge where he was quickly recognized as the most intelligent Buffalo in the Group. He later went on the serve as Wood Badge Staff in 2007 and 2010.    He served as Merit Badge College Director for the York District in 2012 and 2013.  Britt trained youth in leadership skills as NYLT Assistant Course Director in 2013 and NYLT Course Director in 2014.  It is with great pleasure that we present the Silver Beaver Award to Mr. Britt Helms Sr.

ELTON CHAPMAN

Elton Chapman joined Cub Scouts in 2004 when his son became a Wolf Scout.  After falling in love with the program, Elton became more involved starting as the Cubmaster of Pack 26.  He went on to join the Training Staff for the Pinckney District and then became the Training Chair in 2008.  Elton was rewarded for this service when he was presented with  the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouters Award in 2008 and the Cubmaster of the Year in 2009.  Elton continued to stay involved with the Cub Scout program as chair of the Daniel Morgan District Pinewood Derby race from 2010-2014 and Fun With Son Chairman 2011-2014.   Elton completed his Order of the Arrow Ordeal in 2012 and became a brotherhood member in 2013.  Elton currently serves as the Scoutmaster of Troop 26.  Elton’s passion for the Scouting program is contagious.  He loves to help in any way he can.  This past year, he initiated a council-wide service project to help beautify the Council Service Center.  Elton has been quoted as saying “My 1 hour per week has turned into one of the loves of my life.  I am looking forward to the next 10 years in scouting and seeing what BSA has in store for me.” 

EFRAIM FLORES

Efraim Flores has quietly served our council at Camp Bob Hardin since 1992.  As a staff member, Efraim has lead our Upward Bound program for sixteen years and four years as Program Director.  Efrain is not a staff member who is looking for attention, but rather someone who would like to use his outdoors skills to teach our new Scouts the basics.  In Efraim’s  off  time at camp, he volunteers in the dinning hall.  Efraim is the epitome of a servant leader.  Over his tenure, he has   impacted more than 2,000 Scouts by putting them on the track for Eagle!  It is with great honor that we award the   Silver Beaver to a man who has impacted thousands of young men in our council.

MONTE FOIL

Monte has been volunteering in the Scouting movement for the past 16 years.  He has served in several capacities, most notably as Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 3 and as a member of the Council Training Staff.  As an ASM, Monte’s passion was helping the boys learn about, run for and perform in their troop leadership roles.  Monte is an adamant supporter of running the Troop as a boy led troop as taught in Scoutmaster Specific and Wood Badge training.  He was extremely experienced in teaching the skills necessary for the boys to lead the Troop as well as for the adult leaders to let the boys lead.  Monte has been active at the council level, serving for approximately 10 years on the staff or as the course leader of Scoutmaster indoor training, and as Scoutmaster or Senior Patrol Leader for Scoutmaster Outdoor training.  His impact spread across the youth of our council is and will be felt for years.  In addition he has served on multiple Wood Badge staffs.  Along with  volunteering in the Scouting movement, Monte has volunteered with Oakbrook Preparatory School and his daughter’s Girl Scout unit.  

Dr. Benjamin snoddy 

Pastor Benjamin Snoddy is a positive role model guided by his faith with setting standards of “Raising Boys to God’s Standards.”  Pastor Snoddy has served in the ministry for 49 years and for his commitment to excellence he received the Order of the Palmetto, the highest civilian honor in the State of South Carolina, and the Urban League’s Humanitarian Award for outstanding community service.  Just recently, in 2014 he was awarded an honorary Doctorate Degree from Benedict College.  Dr. Snoddy, has served our council as an Executive Officer to the units at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church and on the Palmetto Council Executive Board.  During his time on the Executive Board, he made it a point to ensure that Scouting was made assessable to all boys.  Today he still finds time, as an extended advisor, to contribute his input.  He is committed to seeing that the leadership maintain their devotion to the program.  Each year he meets often with the leaders of Pack and Troop 106 to review their yearly goals and provide guidance for them to be trained and involved with the council.  It was with great pride that Dr. Snoddy watched two young men from Troop 106 become the first Eagle Scouts of the Troop.