Dawson White achieves Eagle Scout rank

Darrin and Sarah White, proud parents, stand on either side of their Eagle Scout, son Dawson, following the presentation of the Eagle Scout rank to him during a ceremony at the Augusta Lodge of Elks on January 6. (Photo by Chuck Mahaleris)

by Chuck Mahaleris

Dawson James White, 18, of Sidney, was presented with Scouting’s highest rank, the Eagle Scout, during a ceremony at the Augusta Elks, on January 6, 2024, which capped off an eleven-year Scouting career. “I learned so much in Scouting,” White said. “I learned survival skills, people skills and how to be a decent person in Scouting.”

“This is an occasion for pride and joy, as well as a time for serious reflection,” said former Troop #401 Scoutmaster Ryan Poulin, who served as Master of Ceremonies.

“The Eagle Scout rank is the highest recognition Scouting offers a Scout. It is earned through the advancement program, and only a small percentage of youth who begin in Scouting are recognized with this honor. In full awareness of the challenge of these times, the parents and leaders of this Eagle Scout have labored long and faithfully to develop him to be alert and to participate in citizenship through the Scouting program. His efforts culminate today in the presentation of the Eagle Scout Badge. The success of these efforts will become evident in the way this Eagle Scout will set his social pattern for all the lives he may touch. Democracy is a fresh conquest for each generation.”

Dawson, who lives in Sidney, is now a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster in Troop #401 and will become an Assistant Scoutmaster after he turns 21. He graduated from the Maine Virtual Academy and is working full time at Rainbow Valley Dairy Farm. He said he had many great experiences in Scouting.

He enjoyed the Troop’s trip to Gettysburg, camping at Camp Bomazeen, the West Point Camporee, and overnights aboard the USS Massachusetts (BB-59) in Battleship Cove in Fall River, Massachusetts. “I built a bunker gear dryer for the Sidney fire department’s turnout gear so it will take a day instead of a week to dry and built shelving for above their new extractor which is an industrial washing machine. They also had a six inch ledge that had no safety marker on it so we did that,” Dawson said of his Eagle Scout project that benefited the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department. Overall, 80 hours of volunteer work were spent on the project. “I know several people who are firemen and was really happy to help out.”

Troop #401 Committee Chairman Andy Steinberger said, “To a Scout, bravery means not only the courage to face physical danger, but the determination to stand up for what is right. While trusting in God with faith in his fellow citizens, he looks forward to each day, seeking his share of the world’s work.”

The Eagle Scout medal was pinned to his uniform by his mother and Dawson in turn presented pins to his parents Darin and Sarah White.

Sarah White pins the Eagle Scout rank onto the uniform of her son Dawson. He started the Scouting path 11 years earlier as a Tiger Cub and has reached the highest level of Scouting. (Photo by Chuck Mahaleris)