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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 17, 2007)
Page 16 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, OR Wednesday, January 17, 2007 Eagle Scouts Charles John “Charlie” Stafford was born in Harbor City, Calif. A resi- dent of Cave Junction for 17 years, he is currently a senior student at Il- linois Valley High School (IVHS). Donald William “Donny” Dillard was born in Wrangell, Alaska and has been a resident of Selma for 13 years. He graduated with the Class of 2006 from Illinois Valley High School (IVHS). As a Cub Scout he earned every award he could: Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos advancements; and Conservation, and Arrow of Light honors, and three gold points. More than 75 awards and citations deco- rate his Cub Scout uniform. In Boy Scouts he advanced through Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and now the Eagle Scout achievement. Only 21 Merit Badges are required for Eagle Rank, but Charlie earned 42. In Cub Scouts Donny earned Tiger, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, Webelos ranks; a Conservation Award, 15 pins, 30 segments, one gold point and four silver. In 2000, Donny advanced from Pack 79 to Troop 79, earning Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, First Class, Star, and Life Rank by 2003. Donny has earned 33 merit badges out of only 21 required. During 2006, Donny completed his Eagle project; working with the city of Cave Junc- tion to improve the Jubilee Park playground and the announcing stand at the baseball field. His Eagle project was building a bridge at Waters Creek Interpretive Trail working with the U.S. Forest Service’s George Brierty and Michael Griffin. Craig Wolgaste, of Pacific Lumber in Medford, helped him get Coos Head of Coos Bay to donate all the pre-treated wood and trans- portation costs to Medford. Due to the wilderness terrain of the project site, it took an hour for Honda Carriers to reach the site with the tools and material for the project. Charlie planned and carried out this project, which will benefit the community for many years. Boy Scout leadership positions he has held are Librarian, Scribe, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Trainer, Senior Patrol Leader, Den Chief, and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. As a boy he participated in T-ball, Karate and talent shows. At IVHS he was chosen as a prince for the 2003 Homecoming Court. He was on the IVHS golf team; and as a member of the I.V. Youth Wrestling Club he was 5 th at the Oregon State Championship and 3 rd at the Northwest Championships. In 2003, Charlie received the IVHS Most Improved Wrestler Award; and he earned varsity letters in 2004 and 2005. His wrestling team was Skyline Conference champion in 2005, and he re- ceived many other wrestling medals. As a member of the IVHS football team, he was honored as Most Improved Player, Most Inspirational Player, and received an All Conference Honorable Mention as a tackle in 2005. Charlie received an All-Conference Award 2 nd Team Offensive Guard Award in 2006. He has spent countless hours volunteering in community and scouting activities such as, tree planting, car washes, bagging groceries, and Cub Scout Day Camp Staff. His first goal is to graduate at Illinois Valley in 2007. He is currently ap- plying for scholarships to attend Western Oregon University at Mon- mouth for a degree in teaching. He is employed at Shop Smart Food Warehouse in Cave Junction. Eagle Scout Charles Stafford and Eagle Scout Donald Dillard recited their oath and promise as they moved up from Life rank to the highest rung possible as a Boy Scout -- the Eagle Scout Rank. The boys were honored for their hard work, dedication and perseverance during the Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony held at the Illinois Valley Senior Center in Cave Junction on Dec. 28, 2006. Among family members attending were Charlie’s family: Bob and Terry Stafford, Don and Joyce Stafford, Donald Stafford and Pam Stafford; and Donny’s family: Bill and Sandy Dillard, Don and Inetha Dillard, siblings Jessica, Brandy, Chelsea and Billy Dillard. Donny’s brother, Keith Dillard, was unable to attend due to his military service in Iraq. Donny will receive a special Eagle certifi- cate, signed by Keith’s commanding officer, who also is serving in Mosul, Iraq, with the 169th First Brigade Army National Guard. A special guest appearance was made by “Defiance,” a live eagle from Wildlife Images in Grants Pass. Guest speakers were Cave Junction Mayor Tony Paulson; master-of-ceremonies Ken Olson; Jim Fuller, Unit 880 Commissioner; Elaine Rigby, Unit 79 Commis- sioner; Jim Yadon, District Commissioner for Crater Lake Council of Boy Scouts of America; Cory Alvis from Wildlife Images; Don Stafford, District Commander for the American Legion; Scoutmas- ters Bob Stafford and Dan Fiske; Assistant Scoutmasters Ace Kelly and Richard Bouchard; and the mothers of the honored Scouts -- Terry Stafford and Sandy Dillard. The families appreciate Glenn Morrison American Legion Post 70 for the presentation of the colors; and thank the Illinois Valley Senior Center for the use of the building, and Sue Fiske for pre- paring the refreshments. We are grateful for all those who partici- pated in the celebration of Charlie and Donny’s Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Donny has held many leadership positions in school and church, as well as in scouting. At IVHS he has been class treasurer, a peer mediator, and a teacher’s aide. He has been a member of the speech club, Math- letes, SMILE Club, and Cougar Pals. He has won IVHS cross country and track awards, as well as others. In Scouts he has been a Scribe, Li- brarian, Den Chief, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, and Quartermaster. He has served as Senior Patrol Leader for four years; and for three years as representative for Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society. He has held church callings as youth adviser for youth trips, and served as president of the Deacon, Teacher and Priest Quorums in the Aaronic Priesthood in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among many awards at IVHS and Lorna Byrne Middle School, Donny has twice been Student of the Month, and is listed among “Who’s Who Among American High School Students.” He has attained the IVHS Honor Roll, and earned his CIM certificate; and been a member of the National Junior Honor Society. As well, Donny has been recognized for his scratch board art work, some of which was displayed in Oregon pro- fessional galleries, and been featured on the IVHS Calendar three years in a row. He has earned many College Dreams scholarships including the Amaranthus Family Excellence in Science Award in 2002, the Direc- tor’s Excellence Award in 2005 and the College Dreams Three Rivers School District award in 2006. Donny successfully completed a Colorado mountaineering trip for Out- ward Bound West through an IVHS scholarship. He is enrolled full time at Rogue Community College. He plans to continue volunteering as an assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 880, and continue his employment with Crossroads Veterinary Animal Hospital until beginning a two-year mis- sion for the LDS Church. When he returns, he plans to earn a master’s degree in geology at Oregon State University at Corvallis.
