On Sunday February 26, 2017 William Brandon Hawkins from Troop 65 in Mint Hill joined fellow Eagle Scouts to the Court of Honor with the achievement of earning the rank of Eagle Scout.  The ceremony took place at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church with former Eagle Scouts in attendance to witness and honor this fine young man’s accomplishment.

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Other Eagle Scout recipients involved in the ceremony from Troop 65 include Nicholas Lux, Ethan Donaher, Christian Johnson, Trent Merrell, Hunter Corwick, and Will French.  The introduction of the new Eagle Scout to the audience consisting of Scouts from Troop 65, family and friends was made by Assistant Scout Master Mark Ligon. Also, William’s sister Olivia Hawkins participated in the traditional Flag Presentation ceremony.

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Among the dignitaries in attendance were Mint Hill Mayor Ted Biggers who made the Flag Presentation, Commander Alan J. Burgess from  American Legion Post 235 presented the Legion’s Citizenship Award with Medal and Eagle Scout Recognition Certificate.  These two gentlemen are former Eagle Scouts and they both served our nation as officers in the United States Air Force.  Meanwhile, Commander Kellis White from the Marine Corps League presented young William with a Medal and Certificate representing the USMC veterans organization for his achievement.

The Eagle Charge was presented by Assistant Scout Master Bob Donaher, the Eagle Scout Promise was recited by Eagle Scout, Dr. Jim White, the presentation of the Eagle Medal was made by Eagle Coach, Clark Davenport who was a mentor to William during his quest to achieving his Eagle Scout award.

There are many strict requirements to become an Eagle Scout.  After all it’s the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scout Program of the Boy Scouts of America.  The designation Eagle Scout is a special achievement with only four percent of Boy Scouts earning this award after a lengthy review process.  The requirements necessary to attain this rank takes years of dedication and commitment on behalf of the Scout.  Since Scouting’s inception in America in 1915 the Eagle Scout Badge has been earned by 2 million young men.

Every Eagle Scout candidate is assigned an Eagle Project.  William’s Eagle Project was to build a cupola constructed of oak wood with a roof made of metal painted shingles for the Mint Hill Historical Society.  Once completed he had to mount the cupola on the roof of the turn of the century Ashcroft Schoolhouse in the Carl J. McEwen Historical Village located in downtown Mint Hill.  An antique bell from the 1800’s was donated by the Bailey family farm in Roxboro, NC is now housed inside of the cupola for school children to ring when they visit the Historical Society village complex.

This project became more meaningful to young William when he discovered during his research the lightening rod on top of the cupola was donated to the Historical Society by the Caldwell home place on Hood Road.  His discovery was the Hawkins family are descendants of the Caldwell family which really hit home and made the project special and personal for him.