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Damon Houghton earns Eagle Scout honor
Eagle Scout Damon Houghton

Damon Houghton, son of Robert and Janaye Houghton of Sylva, was awarded Boy Scouts of America's highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout, during a ceremony in November. Houghton led an effort to build and stock first aid cabinets for three Jackson County recreation parks to earn the honor.

Damon Houghton, son of Robert and Janaye Houghton of Sylva, was awarded Boy Scouts of America's highest honor, Eagle Scout, during a ceremony held in November.

The event was called to order by Senior Patrol Leader Ethan Mechling, and the invocation was delivered by the Rev. Joe Fulk of Sylva First United Methodist Church. Following a welcome by Billy Noell, troop committee chairman, Assistant Scoutmaster Bob Carpenter served as the awards speaker. The presentation of colors to open the ceremony was conducted by Houghton's fellow scouts from Troop 914.

Assistant Scoutmaster Sam Fowlkes provided the Eagle Trail, while Dr. Randy Savell, Scoutmaster of Troop 914, issued the Eagle Charge and presentation. Music was provided by Nicholas Savell.
Houghton's Eagle Service Project was to lead in the building and installation of first aid cabinets at three Jackson County Recreation park concession stands. He then fully stocked them with emergency medical supplies.

"My special thanks for time and labor goes to many scouts in Troop 914 and to the staff of Parks and Recreation," he said. "Also, thanks for materials and supplies goes to Lowes, the American Red Cross, Eckerd Drugs, Kel-Save, CVS Drugs and Wal-Mart."

A special presentation of a North Carolina flag that had flown over the Legislative Building in Raleigh was made to Houghton by Senator Robert Carpenter. Houghton recently served as a Senate Page under Carpenter's supervision.

Houghton has been involved in Scouting since 1993 when he joined Cub Scout Pack 914 in Cullowhee. He advanced to the rank of Webelos as a Cub Scout and joined Boy Scout Troop 914 in Cullowhee in 1996. He has held several leadership positions within the troop, including assistant senior patrol leader and senior patrol leader. He is also a member of the Tsali Lodge of the Order of the Arrow.

A member of Sylva First United Methodist Church, Houghton is a sophomore at Smoky Mountain High School, where he has been chosen to attend the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Conference. A starter this year on the varsity soccer team, he has also acquired an interest in skiing through scout outings and is now a member of the SMHS Downhill Ski Team and is employed as a ski instructor at Cataloochee Ski Resort.

His scouting experiences have also led him to be a member of the Sylva EMS Explorer Post and to complete first responders training, as well as American Red Cross Standard First Aid and Adult CPR courses.

Houghton's list of scouting highlights includes a weeklong High Adventure Llama Trek in Shining Rock Wilderness Area; a 10-day Philmont Expedition at Cimmaron, New Mexico; winning the Camp Daniel Boone Senior Patrol Leader archery watermelon contest; and the large collection of now-frozen trout caught during a variety of scout outings. He spent three days visiting the National Scout Jamboree in 1997 and plans to attend in 2001.

Troop 914 meets at 7 p.m. each Thursday at Cullowhee United Methodist Church.

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