Boy Scout Troop 23 from Cleveland and Troop 234 from Lewisburg recently held a joint Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony to recognize two young men with Coahoma County ties.
Caleb Owens and Harrison Seeley both earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Owens was a member of Troop 23 until moving last year to Lewisburg where he joined Troop 234 in Olive Branch. The ceremony was held at the First Methodist Church of Cleveland, the sponsoring church of Troop 23. Scoutmasters Chris Hays and Rick Bradham led the ceremony.
The rank of Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouts. Since 1912, more than two million Scouts have earned the Eagle Scout rank. However, since the inception of the Eagle Scout award in 1912, 2 percent of eligible Scouts have earned Scouting’s highest honor. The Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony has been referred to as Scouting’s greatest moment.
Fellow Scouts from Troops 23 and 234 were in attendance, in addition to family and friends of Owens and Seeley, who both had an opportunity to thank those who helped them achieve the Eagle Scout rank.
Owens, who has earned 35 Merit Badges, is the son of Eric and Laura Pearson Owens, formerly of Cleveland. He attended Presbyterian Day School and Cleveland High School before moving to attend Lewisburg High School where he is in his senior year.
For his Eagle Scout project, Owens constructed two full-size multi-chambered bat houses for Arkabutla Lake. He donated the bat houses providing habitat for bat nurseries. His maternal grandmother is Harriet Pearson of Houston and his paternal grandparents are Ray and Sarita Owens of Lyon.
Seeley, who has earned 38 Merit Badges, is the son of Dean and Kristi Powell Seeley of Cleveland. He is currently an 11th-grader at Bayou Academy. He previously attended Hayes Cooper Elementary School and Presbyterian Day School.
For his Eagle Scout Project, Seeley constructed Buddy Benches for Bayou Academy, Hayes Cooper and Presbyterian Day School. The benches were painted in school colors. He also hosted a guest speaker at Bayou Academy to address the topics of bullying and teen suicide.
Seeley’s paternal grandparents are Sam and Beverly Seeley of Cantonment, Fla., and his maternal grandparents are Meredith Powell of Cleveland and Larry Powell of Cleveland.
In the photo, Candy Davis (center) served as Cub Scout leader for Caleb Owens (left) and Harrison Seeley (right). Both Eagle Scouts thanked Davis for her many years of dedication to them personally and to the hundreds of Scouts she has influenced over many years.
