HEWETT EARNS EAGLE SCOUT RANK WITH PICNIC TABLE PROJECT

Hannah Hewett, a 15-year-old student at Riverview High School, has participated in Boy Scout troops led by her parents from the time she was in first grade. She was actively involved in Scouts with her brothers but was not ofcially awarded any rank because Boy Scouts of America was closed to girls at that time.

On February 1, 2019, the Boy Scouts of America, now known as Scouts BSA, opened its Scouting program to girls of all ages and Hannah was one of the first girls across the nation to ofcially join Cub Scouts. Hannah achieved the rank of Arrow of Light in Cub Scouts and crossed over to the first all-girl Troop 483. Three years later, Hannah achieved the rank of Eagle Scout and celebrated this honor on January 7 at her Eagle Scout Court of Honor held at Redeemer Church.

Hannah is the second girl in her troop to become an Eagle Scout, the highest achievement attainable in the Scouts BSA program. She is preceded by her older sister, Alexis Hewett. Only four percent of Scouts have earned this rank since the program’s inception in 1911.

Hannah’s project was to acquire materials for a dozen picnic tables and lead two teams to build the tables for her church for outdoor events and meetings the Redeemer Church holds on campus. “Hannah’s Eagle project was a request from her church. The church is so appreciative of the picnic tables that were built on their campus for special

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events and recognize the hard work, leadership and project management skills that go into Eagle projects like Hannah’s for their benefit and enjoyment,” said her mother, Julie Hewett.

The troop’s local 501(c)(3) charter organization, the Family and Youth Research and Education (FYRE) Foundation, fortifies families by providing training, resources and education through programs like Scouts BSA. More information can be found at www.fyrefoundation.org.

In addition to her culminating project, Hannah has completed numerous campouts, hikes and skills and leadership training, including completing her basic scuba certification. She graduated from the National Youth Leadership Training course, a demanding and exciting program designed to provide youth members with experience and leadership skills.

Besides Scouting, Hannah’s ambition is reflected at her school and in her community as well. She is an A/B honor roll student; a member of the Riverview High School choir, including the Victorian Christmas Choir and Sugar and Spice female barbershop quartet; and an active leader in her church youth group and member of her church choir. Hannah is also certified in American Red Cross CPR, first aid and AED. Plus, Hannah loves singing, musical theater and mathematics. Hannah desires to attend college at Texas A&M University and plans to study mathematics and continue singing.

THE U.S. ARMY FIELD BAND’S CONCERT BAND AND SOLDIERS’ CHORUS RETURN TO RP FUNDING CENTER

The U.S. Army Field Band, also known as “The Musical Ambassadors of the Army,” is returning to the RP Funding Center on Monday, March 6 at 7 p.m. for a free concert celebrating heroes who have served our nation.

The Concert Band and Soldiers’ Chorus are the oldest and largest of The U.S. Army Field Band’s performing components. Founded in 1946 and 1957 respectively, these two ensembles combine to present joint concerts on their national tours. They have performed in all 50 states and 30 foreign countries for audiences totaling hundreds of millions.

The 60-member Concert Band and 29-member Soldiers’ Chorus perform regularly in some of the most famous concert halls in the world, and just as often in the humblest auditoriums in the smallest of communities. The joining of these two ensembles allows them to ofer unparalleled versatility of programming, ranging from orchestral masterworks and operatic arias to Sousa marches, jazz classics and Broadway musicals. The band and chorus also perform independently and have recently shared the stage with such ensembles as the Boston Pops, the Cincinnati Pops, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the National Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets for this event are free. To get your tickets, please visit www.rpfundingcenter. com, click on the event and download the flyer. Fill out the flyer, choose your number of tickets (limit four per person) and mail with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: RP Funding Center Box Ofce, ATTN: United States Army Field Band, 701 West Lime Street, Lakeland, FL 33815. Orders will be processed by first-come, first-serve basis while supplies last. Envelope must be postmarked by Friday, February 3. The remainder of the tickets will be given away at the Box Ofce on Monday, February 13.

The RP Funding Center is conveniently located minutes between Orlando and Tampa in Lakeland of Interstate 4 on Lime Street; the RP Funding Center is a short drive from anywhere in Central Florida. Regular box ofce hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. For ticket information, call the Box Ofce at 863-834-8111 or visit its website at www.rpfundingcenter.com.