Nathen Philip Abbott received his Eagle Scout Award at a Court of Honor on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016. He is a member of Venture Crew 2341 sponsored by the Bunkerville 2st Ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He made room number signs and placed them on the playground fence at JL Bowler Elementary to mark the place for each class to meet when there is a fire drill or emergency. He earned 28 merit badges; only 21 are required for Eagle. His favorite merit badges were camping, archery, shooting and automotive maintenance. He will qualify to receive a bronze palm for each 5 additional merit badges he earns. Nathen is a sophomore at Virgin Valley High School where he participates in wrestling and baseball. He is the son of Melinda and Philip Abbott.
Jason Abbott, Nathen’s brother, spoke about the meaning of the Eagle, “Scouting teaches skills to remember all your life. It teaches you to always be ready to serve and do a good turn daily and be prepared. Doing a good turn can be as simple as saying ‘Hello’ or giving a smile.Being a scout means you are the first to start and the last one to quit.” Jason quoted Wayne Gretzky when he said, “You miss 100 of the free throws you don’t take!” Jason said, “There is no success in not trying.”
Mark Tichenor, representing the Snow Canyon District of BSA, opened the National Boy Scout Court of Honor and then formed the Eagle’s Nest by asking all those in the audience to come forward and sit together. Josh, his brother, who is an Eagle Scout was Nathen’s escort Lyman Abbott, Nathen’s grandfather, gave Nathen the Eagle Charge saying, “You now assume a solemn obligation to be a responsible citizen in your country and help your fellow scouts. America has many good things but it depends of good citizenship to help hold American on a solid foundation of honest work, service to your fellowman and reverence for God. Let your rank and influence count strongly for better scouting and better citizenship in your family, church community and country.” Abbott continued, "Lord Baden Powell was inspired to form the scouting program to help young men learn skills and be good citizens and have reverence for God.”
Maurie Perkins, scout leader, presented the Eagle Scout Award to Nathen’s mother to pin on his uniform. Nathen presented a mother’s pinto his mother and a tie tack to his father to thank them for their help and encouragement in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Nathen also presented the mentor pin to his mother who never gave up on him and helped him along the trail to Eagle. Nathan thanked Mr. Jenkins,principal of JL Bowler Elementary for helping him plan and organize the project. Tichenor then presented Nathen with a pocket knife engraved with the words, Eagle Scout.
