Paducah
Tilghman High School seniors Keaton Housman and Will Sheffer, and
sophomore Russell Hancock recently achieved their Eagle Scout rank and
were celebrated at an Eagle Court of Honor this past weekend.
Keaton,
Will, and Russell are all members of Scout Troop 1 which is part of the
Lincoln Heritage Council and based at Grace Episcopal Church.
Each
year, only 6% of eligible Scouts world-wide become Eagle Scouts. The
rank of Eagle Scout is the highest and most prestigious achievement a
Scout can achieve. To attain the Eagle rank, a Scout must earn at least
21 merit badges, fulfill leadership roles, display outdoor skills,
demonstrate by example the Scout Oath and Law, and complete a
comprehensive service project in the community.
Keaton
is a Kentucky Governor’s Scholar, AP Scholar, and a member of
Tilghman’s band program, Interact Club, Academic Team, Chess Club, HUB,
and has had roles in Tilghman’s musical productions. He’s active in the
youth group at First Baptist Church and is employed at MAKE in the
workshop.
Keaton
has been very involved with Troop 1, serving as Assistant Patrol Leader
and two terms as Senior Patrol Leader. He was also the Den Chief for
Cub Scout Pack 470 for several years. He has attended many summer camps,
including Camp Roy C. Manchester, Winter Camp at Camp Boxwell, and
National Youth Leadership Training Camp (NYLT) at Camp Crooked Creek. He
also attended both National and World Jamborees at Summit Bechtel
Reserve in West Virginia. He has also enjoyed Boy Scout’s high adventure
activities, including Northern Tier Okpik/dogsledding adventure and two
treks at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. During his treks at
Philmont, Keaton served as Chaplain’s Aid and as Crew Chief.
For
his Eagle Scout project, Keaton worked with the leadership at Mount
Kenton Cemetery to renovate an abandoned pump house into an open-air
prayer chapel. He has earned 45 merit badges and the Bronze, Gold, and
Silver Palms.
Keaton is the son of Brad and Kijsa Housman.
Will
is an AP Scholar, a member of Tilghman’s marching, concert, pep, and
jazz band programs, National Honor Society, and was selected as second
chair trombone in the 2023 KMEA All-District Band and first chair
trombone in the Quad-State Symphonic Band. He was also selected for the
2023 WKU Honor Band Clinic and was the recipient of the first ever
scholarship to the WKU Music Summer Camp Program.
An
active member of Troop 1, Will has served as Assistant Patrol Leader,
Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, and
Troop Guide. He also served as Den Chief for Cub Scout Pack 470. He’s
attended several summer camps, including Camp Roy C. Manchester, Boxwell
Scout Reservation, and Camp Crooked Creek where he attended the
National Youth Leadership Training (NYLT). He has also backpacked at
Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.
Will
led a group of Scouts and adults in repairing and painting the gates of
Mount Kenton Cemetery and the refurbishment of the landscaping around
the gates for his Eagle Scout project. He’s a member of the Order of the
Arrow, and received the World Conservation Award and Youth Religious
Award. He’s earned 37 merit badges and the Bronze, Gold, and Silver
Palms.
Will is the son of Chris and Julie Sheffer.
Russell
is a member of the Tilghman Varsity Soccer Team, Interact Club, Student
Council, and is a Tilghman Student Ambassador. He’s played for the
Pumas Futbol Club since 2016, traveling across the region to compete. He
is an active member of Broadway United Methodist Church and Greater
Paducah Young Life.
He’s
been an active member in Troop 1 for five years. He’s participated in
the flag program, attended Roy C. Manchester summer camps, and
backpacked at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico. In Troop 1, Russell
has served as Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, and Webmaster. He’s
earned 26 merit badges and a Bronze Palm.
His
passion for fishing led him to his Eagle project, which was working
with conservation officers and biologists with the Kentucky Department
of Fish and Wildlife Resources to plan and construct 60 fish attractors
for placement in Kentucky Lake. He led troop members in building and
dispersing the fish attractors that will serve as protective habitats
for game fish to breed and grow.
Russell is the son of Blann and Mary Hunter Hancock.
Pictured L to R: Will Sheffer, Russell Hancock, and Keaton Housman