2008 Oconee District Awards

The 2008 Oconee District Awards were presented at the Annual District Recognition Dinner held January 9, 2009 at St. Mark United Methodist Church in Seneca.

The program for the evening, presented by Blue Ridge Council President Russell Smart, featured information on the history and development of Scouting by Lord Robert Stevenson Smyth Baden-Powell of Gilwell, known to those in Scouting simply as BP. Russell brought historical items from the early days of Scouting including a walking cane used by BP.

Special guests in attendance were Blue Ridge Council Executive Mike Bernhard, Blue Ridge Council Commissioner Michael Thompson, Blue Ridge Council Executive Board Members Dr. Bill and Sylvia Dukes, and Blue Ridge Council Executive Board Member and Past Oconee District Chairman Dr. Jim Mahoney and his wife Ruth.

Awards presented were: Cub Scouter of the Year - Joanie Miller, Pack 2; Cubmaster of the Year - Kevin Mueller, Pack 45; Scouter of the Year - Lee Woods, Troop 235; Scoutmaster of the Year - Reno Wilson, Troop 161; Commissioner of the Year - James Blake, Unit Commissioner and Oconee District Training Chair; District Award of Merit - Henry Biemann, Committee Chair Troop 45; and District Award of Merit - Laura Kinard, Assistant District Commissioner and Assistant Scoutmaster Troop 235. A special plaque was presented to Past District Chairman Jim Mahoney for his many years of service to the Oconee District.

Chad Duggins, Oconee District Executive, announced that the District has earned the designation of Centennial Quality District for the second year in a row.

The Oconee District is comprised of 62 Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Venturing crews, Sea Scout ships, Explorer posts, and Learning for Life groups serving over 1,900 youth in Oconee County and Clemson.


Oconee District Award Winners (pictured left to right): Reno Wilson, Scoutmaster of the Year; Lee Woods, Scouter of the Year; Kevin Mueller, Cubmaster of the Year; James Blake, Commissioner of the Year; Joanie Miller, Cub Scouter of the Year; and Laura Kinard, District Award of Merit. Not pictured: Henry Biemann, District Award of Merit.