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Ethan Mechling earns Eagle Scout honor

By Rose Hooper
U.S. Congressman Charles Taylor, right, presented Boy Scout Troop 914's newest Eagle Scout, Ethan Mechling, with a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony Jan. 19 in Sylva. Ethan Mechling, son of George and Kathy Mechling of Cullowhee, was awarded a Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout badge during a Court of Honor Jan. 19 at First United Methodist Church in Sylva.

For his Eagle Scout project, Mechling, the first from either side of his family to earn this honor, assembled four park benches and placed them on the Cullowhee Valley School nature trail.

The Smoky Mountain High senior joined Boy Scout Troop 914 in September 1995. During his time with the Troop, Mechling has served as senior patrol leader and currently holds the position of junior assistant scoutmaster.

Throughout his years in Scouting, Mechling has participated in numerous campouts and service projects, including the Klondike Derby and several Tuckaseigee River Cleanups.

During the summer of 1999, he attended a 10-day backpacking trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimmaron, N.M., with other Troop 914 members and Scouts from Macon and Buncombe counties.

In addition to his Scouting activities, Mechling served as the teen representative on the Jackson County Recreation Department advisory board from 2000-02 and had been treasurer for the local Community of Christ Church congregation for the past two years.

The four-year member of SMHS's golf team says he's looking forward to attending college in the fall and majoring in marketing.

Special guest at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor was U.S. Congressman Charles Taylor, who presented Mechling with a flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Other guests included Scoutmaster Jay Madill, who welcomed friends and family to the ceremony; former Scoutmaster and current Assistant Scoutmaster Billy Noell, who served as the award speaker; and Troop Committee Chairman Bob Houghton, who presented Mechling's "Trail to Eagle" record.

Community of Christ Church Pastor Paul Clum provided both the invocation and benediction, while Senior Patrol Leader Matt Kuehn and Troop 914's Color Guard presented and retired the colors during opening and closing ceremonies.

Back to Archive: 01/30/03.