Another Keathley reaches Eagle status

Noreen Hyslop photo Three generations of Keathleys who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, are shown atop and alongside the project that Nolan Keathley (at center) recently completed. At left is Nolan's grandfather, Bob Keathley and at right is Mike Keathley, an uncle, who has worked to promote the foundations of Boy Scouting for decades across Southeast Missouri.

Nolan Keathley is the 17-year-old son of David and Karen Keathley of Dexter and is a senior at DHS. His career in scouting began when he was five years old as a Cub Scout. With a mountain of badges earned, countless miles hikes and dozens of camping adventures behind him, Nolan is now on the road to achieving one of the highest honors in the scouting arena.

There are a number of very specific prerequisites to be met before a scout proceeds with an Eagle Scout project that will earn him the rite of passage. Keathley's proposal, the replacement of an old and deteriorating playground on the church grounds of the First United Methodist Church, was presented to the local scout council for approval. The proposal included specifics regarding material, cost and workforce and a synopsis that told who would benefit from the completion of his project.

An Eagle Scout project is not an accomplishment of the applicant alone. As Nolan's uncle, Mike Keathley, pointed out, "The rank of Eagle Scout is all about leadership and in the leadership role, the project leader designates duties to other scouts and utilizes the knowledge and skills of his elders as well."

Nolan Keathley had an advantage of those leadership skills at his disposal in the form of his extended family, along with members of Pack 200 and he put them to good use in the course of completing his construction project. He met with the Methodist Men's organization and Pastor Louis Lowe and it was agreed that the funding for his project would come from the church. With the funding established, Keathley and his crew proceeded to construct the playground which consisted of combination slide, a rock wall for climbing, and wooden platform deck.

The finished project was a welcome site for not only the church patrons, but neighborhood children, as well, who utilize the playground after school and in the summer months.

The project for Keathley was a fitting one, since his ambitions are aimed toward the field of mechanical engineering. College is on the horizon for this industrious senior. He has continually been among the upper ten percent of his class throughout his high school career.

"I hope to attend the University of Missouri Rolla and once I attain my degree in mechanical engineering, I'd like to apply it in the area of mobility engineering, eventually going into business for myself."

With his project completed and his educational goals on the horizon, Nolan Keathley is not only following a tradition of leadership within the realm of scouting, but a tradition of achievement within the ranks of his family as well.