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Welland Dane Burnside, 18, a senior at Maple Hill High School and a member of Boy Scout Troop 396, earned the award and a college scholarship worth $10,000. The award was announced during The American Legion's board of directors meeting here.
The award recognizes Burnside’s practical citizenship at school, scouting and his affiliation with Belin Memorial United Methodist church. For his Eagle Scout project, Burnside implemented efforts to enhance conservation to Myrtle Beach State Park. Upon discovering that nature trails had become impassable, bird houses were in need of repair or replacement, non-native plants and vines had overtaken the pond and a supply of mulch was needed for pathways, Burnside planned and implemented his Eagle project to cover all these tasks.
He also installed redwood benches at strategic locations around Myrtle Beach State Park for people to use. During his restoration efforts, Burnside was able to secure permanent recycling of mulch from the local electric company to the park.
Burnside received recognition for implementing the Suitcases for Kids program seven years ago with his sister Aubyn. The program provides suitcases for foster children so that when they are moved from place to place, they have something besides a plastic bag to carry their stuff in. Today, Suitcases for Kids is a non-profit charity active in all 50 states and 29 foreign countries.
Burnside, an Eagle Scout since 2001, is also an honors student and star athlete.
The American Legion awarded a $2,500 scholarship to Blaine Thomas Drozd of Genoa, Neb., Jacob Keith Hedelius of Manti, Utah and Michael Vaughn Baxter Bledsoe of Chapmanville, W. Va.
The American Legion has supported Scouting since its first national convention in 1919. Legion posts sponsor more than 2,700 Scouting units, serving more than 73,500 young people, at a cost of more than $1.7 million..
Comments (6)
I think its great this young man has done all these things for the park. may he teach others to protect our wild life and all the parks. so it left these for our childrens children.
Posted by roberto a. bosco jr. | 05/11/07 11:02 AM |
Congratulations to the 2007 National American Legion selected Eagle Scout of the Year award recipients. Your stellar performance is noteworthy.
Seek to serve both the Legion and BSA proudly as you adventure out to achieve your academic goals.
Posted by Steve Shuga - American Legion Dept. of Florida Boy Scout Chairman | 05/15/07 12:36 PM |
Fantastic,This young man has the type of vision and follow thru that is a model for others to emulate.Congradulation to his scout master.
As a former eagle scout I know what his efforts will mean to him in his future years.
Posted by DR.Tom Logue,MGEN.[R] | 07/17/07 1:26 PM |
I first met Welland at the "Angels in Action" awards in 2001. This young man will go far. I hope you run for President Welland. We need someone who has always known how to serve. Good luck to you always. RJ's mom. You - RJ and Ashley Story have continued to be of service to others. Keep up the good work.
Posted by Marybeth Feild | 07/18/07 9:46 AM |
Congratulations with love from your cousin. Wish you the very best!
Posted by Marya( Rizer) | 09/03/07 9:34 PM |
I am a asst. scoutmaster for troop 373 out of opelika Alabama .We have just had two boys at different times to become eagle scout ,they are brothers and they are the first african americans to become eagle scout in our district,,,I know this may not seems like much too some but this is a real big honor for these boys .I would like to know how could these boys or could these boys get some type of award or maybe even a scholarship.These guys have really worked really hard to reach there goals of eagle scouts .Thank you very much .
Posted by Mallory O Covington | 11/28/07 10:53 AM |