Gets Eagle Scout
On Sunday March 29, 2009 Walter Solomon Whitfield became the first member of St James CME Church, LaGrange Georgia to earn the Eagle Scout Rank. His Court of Honor was conducted at the church and the St. James family congratulated Solomon on this outstanding achievement. The Eagle rank is the highest rank that a scout can earn. Solomon began his scouting career in 1998 as a Cub Scout in the church’s first Cub Scout Pack, founded by Miss Carol Lewis. The Charter Partner Representative was Mr. L.L. Banks and Mr. Joan Debnam served on the Pack Committee. Both have served the pack and troop faithfully ensuring that the scouting programs succeed. In 2001 Solomon received the Arrow of Light, the highest rank a Cub Scout receives. He then crossed over into the Boy Scout Troop and for the next 8 years earned more than 44 merit badges on the way to Eagle.
As a boy scout Solomon participated in many campouts and other scout events including the annual Freeze-O-Ree at Camp Gallant, Fall Family Campouts, Religious Encampments at both Andersonville and Tuskegee Institute and hiking the Little Grand Canyon in Lumpkin Georgia. He worked at the Camp Lumpkin Summer Camp for the past four years assisting other scouts in earning merit badges. The highlight of his camping experiences was his attendance at the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 2005 at Fort AP Hill, Virginia. For twelve days, along with 80 other scouters from the Chattahoochee Council, he toured Washington DC and camped at Fort AP Hill with 40,000 other Boys Scouts and Scout Leaders. One of the most memorial moments of the Jamboree was the assembly which President George Bush addressed.
He graduated from LaGrange High School in June of 2009 and will attend Columbus State University in the fall. His plans are to become an accountant and continue to work within the Scouting program.
As a boy scout Solomon participated in many campouts and other scout events including the annual Freeze-O-Ree at Camp Gallant, Fall Family Campouts, Religious Encampments at both Andersonville and Tuskegee Institute and hiking the Little Grand Canyon in Lumpkin Georgia. He worked at the Camp Lumpkin Summer Camp for the past four years assisting other scouts in earning merit badges. The highlight of his camping experiences was his attendance at the National Boy Scout Jamboree in 2005 at Fort AP Hill, Virginia. For twelve days, along with 80 other scouters from the Chattahoochee Council, he toured Washington DC and camped at Fort AP Hill with 40,000 other Boys Scouts and Scout Leaders. One of the most memorial moments of the Jamboree was the assembly which President George Bush addressed.
He graduated from LaGrange High School in June of 2009 and will attend Columbus State University in the fall. His plans are to become an accountant and continue to work within the Scouting program.
Photo: Right to left - Rev. Jesse Everett, Presiding Elder, North Columbus-LaGrange District, West Georgia Region; Rev. LK Allen, pastor of St. James CME Church, LaGrange GA., Rev. Morrissey Whitfield, mother, pastor of Trinity in Durand, GA., father, Gary Whitfield, Scout Master Troop 305; new Eagle Scout Walter Solomon Whitfield, brother, Life Scout Christopher Isaiah Whitfield.
The 2009 Our Church Lights the Way Campaign also includes a public service announcement with the combined leadership of The Rt. Rev. Yvette Flunder, Senior Bishop of The Fellowship and Senior Pastor of The City of Refuge United Church of Christ; and Dr. Katie G. Cannon, Professor, Union Theological Seminary in Richmond, VA along with the senior bishops of the AME, AME Zion and CME denominations.
As the first female elected bishop amongst the AME ranks, McKenzie said she sees herself as a “reluctant” role model.
“This is one of my greatest moments as a bishop,” said Bishop Carter. “The CME Church continues to grow.”
.jpg)