SCOUT OF THE YEAR
Middle Tennessee Council is seeking nominations to be considered for “Scout of the Year”. Please use the form below to nominate a Scout that has demonstrated exceptional Scout spirit, leadership, heroism, community service or citizenship, either in his/her Scout unit or personal life. We will select one Cub Scout, one Scouts BSA, one Venturing Youth, one STEM Scout and one Sea Scout/Explorer to represent the
council. Each youth must be registered in a pack, troop, crew, ship or post within the Middle Tennessee Council at the time of nomination.
2019 Scouts of the Year
Riley Litz, Cub Scout (Webelos 2), Pack 1416 (Murfreesboro)
Riley has and is overcoming Polymicrogyria (PMG), a brain malformation that affects him verbally and physically. Despite his condition, he exemplifies the spirit of Scouting and has been the lead popcorn sales person in his Pack for the past three years. Riley Individually sold popcorn worth $3,000 this year, largely from store front, wagon and door to door sales. Riley also participated in “Tennessee Kids Serve Summer Challenge” where kids log service hours throughout the summer. Riley was one of the top earners of hours with 29 hours of community service and had an opportunity to be recognized by Governor Lee, whom he was able to sell popcorn in his Webelos uniform!
Austin Henry Robert Niec, Scouts BSA (Life Scout), Troop 275 (Antioch)
Austin wanted to make a difference and chose to collect "Books for Inmates" to replenish the libraries in the detention facilities in Davidson County as his Eagle Project. His goal was to collect 300 books and it exceeded by 3,000 books and went beyond simply collecting books, turning it into a community endeavor. Austin's research showed that books help inmates feel connected to the outside world, they help to keep their mind sharp, help with spiritual healing, and they calm emotions. Ultimately, this became a very sustainable project; keeping books out of landfills and making a difference toward recidivism.
Aya Biete- Harkins, STEM Scout (Middle School) Lab 2018 (Antioch)
Aya is a dedicated intelligent young scholar who has taken keen interest in STEM field since joining STEM Scouts. Aya was one of (8) STEM Prep scholars that had the opportunity to attend the one-week long Marine STEM Biology Camp at the High Adventure Florida Sea Base. During this camp, Aya worked with a group of her peers to build a ROV and present her project on “Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease”. Aya was so inspired by her trip to the Sea Base, that she has decided to become a Marine STEM Biologist! Furthermore, Aya did a complete briefing to the BioTN Board of Directors, where she wonderfully articulated her Sea Base and STEM Scouts experience. Aya is very active in her community, is a great motivator and shares her love and discoveries of the sciences with her peers.
Mason Wettengel, Scouts BSA (Eagle Scout) Troop 75 (Hendersonville)
About 750 veterans struggle with homelessness in Tennessee. This caught 15 year old resident from Sumner County, Mason Wettengel’s attention. For his Eagle project Mason worked on renovating five apartments for homeless veterans at the Sumner County Veterans Home in Gallatin. He did not receive any federal or state funding and raised $22,000 by himself for the project. Mason mentioned, "It was worth it because these are the people who served our country, and now we need to take our turn and serve them.” The improvements are helping veterans like Eddie Nelson who mentioned, "It makes me feel wanted and loved and that we're worth it.”