Another Eagle Scout soars at Court of Honor

TOP PHOTO: It was a day for Eagles, Eagle Scouts on Saturday at the LaFollette United Methodist Church. Fellow Eagle Scouts and best friends, Elijah Lamb and Stewart Thacker, sit together at Lamb’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor.

By Charlotte Underwood 

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Surrounded by family, friends and fellow Scouts, another Eagle soared in Campbell County over the weekend.

Eagle Scout Elijah Lamb went through his Eagle Scout Court of Honor on Saturday afternoon. The ceremony was held at the LaFollette United Methodist Church and featured videos of his time in Boy Scouts, along with guest speakers and a reception that followed.

Lamb is one of Troop 310’s founding members and has held numerous leadership roles, been an inspiration to youth, and helped people and animals alike. He began his Boy Scout journey in October 2015 and has worked diligently over the last six and a half years to attain this prestigious recognition. Eagle Scout is the highest rank a young person can reach in Scouting. Only about 5 percent of those who join attain the rank of Eagle.

 Lamb said he felt like he had finally “reached the top of a mountain, but there was still more to go.”

He plans on remaining an integral part of Troop 310 and be a mentor to others in Scouts.

The Eagle Scout Court of Honor is a reflection on what it means to be a Boy Scout and the amount of hard work and commitment that it takes to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Part of earning his rank was through his Eagle Scout project. Lamb began his project in late March of 2021. He chose to host a drive to raise much needed supplies for the Campbell County Animal Shelter, due to his love of animals.

Over several months he successfully raised more than $1,500 in food, blankets, towels, and cleaning supplies for the shelter. He communicated with local businesses for drop off locations and advertisement, organized a storage unit to hold the supplies, and acquired a bank account for monetary donations. 

Lamb has had an amazing scouting career, he has led flag ceremonies, conducted patrol and Troop meetings, helped conduct and has conducted outings, as well as taught skills, and influenced others, according to Scout Masters.

Lamb has played key roles in the Troop’s efforts including the Hurricane Florence Relief Drive, Recycling Bin Construction, and several others. An overview of Elijah’s scouting accomplishments includes Brotherhood status in Order of the Arrow (OA), being an Elangomat for the OA, at least 21 Merit Badges, Paul Bunyan Woodsman award, National Park Service Scout Ranger Award, among others.

His mother Angela Sweeney said she was extremely proud of her son.

“He’s worked so hard for this and done so well. I’m proud of his accomplishments and excited to see where he’s going to go with his life,” Sweeney said.  His dad Kenneth Lamb said he was proud of all the hard work Elijah had put in to reach the rank of Eagle.

Lamb’s “second family” as he calls them, Scout Master Chris Thacker and his wife Crystal said they were also “incredibly excited” for Elijah and what the future holds.

“We are so proud of you Elijah and we are blessed to be a part of your journey,” said Crystal Thacker. 

Scout Master Chris Thacker said Lamb was like a second son to him and to see him at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor was a “longtime dream come true.”

“This is one of the best days for Elijah. All his hard work has finally paid off and his future is so bright,” Chris Thacker said.

Lamb’s best friend and fellow Eagle Scout Stewart Thacker spoke at Lamb’s ceremony, describing the trail to Eagle Scout and how hard Lamb had worked to achieve it over the last six years.

“Sometimes you have to stop and savor the experiences,” Stewart Thacker said.

According to Lamb, that’s what he plans on doing next, continuing with Scouts and helping others reach the goal of Eagle and “savoring the experience.”

“I would not be who I am without scouts and my friends. I want to help others the way I’ve been helped,” Lamb said. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/03/2022-6AM)