Garrett Davis Morrell, 17, received the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout Award at his Eagle Court of Honor held Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 at First United Methodist Church of Smithville. Garrett is the son of Beverly and Mark Morrell. He is a senior at Smithville High School and a member of Troop 183, chartered by First United Methodist Church.

Only four percent of scouts attain the highest rank of the Boy Scouts of America. An Eagle Scout must have completed at least 21 merit badges and organized a service project that benefits his church, community or school.

Garrett’s project consisted of painting restrooms, a teepee, a wagon, picnic tables, rails on the perimeter, swing sets and replacing old swings at the Indian Lake community subdivision outside of Smithville. He also created a sprinkler system that uses the backwash of the nearby pool to spur grass growth in the surrounding area of the pool and pavilion. The project was completed with the help of Troop 183 scouts and other community volunteers.

Since first grade

Garrett joined scouting in the first grade in 1998 as a Tiger Cub with Pack 183 of Smithville. He moved along the Cub Scout trail by earning his Wolf, Bear and then Webelos I and II badges, under the supervision of cubmaster Virginia Hannusch. During his Cub Scout years he enjoyed participating in the summer day camps held at Tahitian Village and at Lost Pines Scout Reservation. He liked to compete in the archery and B-B-gun target meets. Garrett then earned his Arrow of Light Award and crossed over into Boy Scouts in the spring of 2003, with Jim Patterson as his first scoutmaster. After earning his Tenderfoot rank, he followed the trail to Eagle with Ascension Fierro as the scoutmaster of Troop 183.

Garrett has held many leadership positions and received the Silver Medal for serving two terms as senior patrol leader. He received his God and Church medal when he was in the ninth grade, the second religious program he undertook during his scouting years. In January 2006, Garrett was awarded the Scout of the Year medal. During his leadership, the troop won the El Rancho Cima 2006 Ranch Award for being the best troop while at summer camp.

Many honors

Garrett’s awards include the 12 mandatory merit badges and 29 elective merit badges, making a total of 41. He is a member of the Boy Scout’s National Honor Society and the Order of the Arrow as a Brotherhood member, the second highest level in the Order. He has joined the troop in many camporees and summer camps. During one of his summer camps at Lost Pines Boy Scout Camp, he completed the COPE program, an exciting outdoor activity designed to meet the needs of youth who seek greater challenges to their physical and mental abilities.

His last Boy Scout camp was at Buffalo Trails in the Fort Davis mountains. He has earned numerous other awards including the Mile Swim, the BSA Snorkeling, the Hot Chili Patch for camping in 100-degree temperatures, the Polar Bear Badge for camping in below freezing weather and the World Conservation Badge.

Other activities

Garrett has been active in several extracurricular activities throughout high school. He has played several sports, including football, soccer and cross country and played the saxophone in band his freshman year.

His sophomore year, Garrett joined the debate team, where he is continuously trying to improve his debate skills. He has now qualified for UIL state all three years and for nationals in the National Forensic League. He is proud that he won best speaker at the Boling High School debate tournament, along with several other first and second places.

He also is on his way to the DECA Internationals after winning first in his category at state.

Garrett’s future plans include graduating college with a business management degree and furthering his education by attending law school.