Youth sync: 12U champs, Eagle Scout

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Eagle Scout Hodgin earns prestigious National Medal for Outdoor Achievement 12U boys’ traveling baseball team wins championship after eight undefeated games

SUMMERFIELD – Troop 600 Eagle Scout Landon Hodgin has earned Scouts BSA’s highest recognition for outdoor achievement. A Summerfield resident, he is the first in his troop and among only a small percentage of scouts nationally to receive the National Medal for Outdoor Achievement.

To qualify, Landon earned three National Outdoor Achievement Awards, became a Leave No Trace Trainer and certified in Wilderness First Aid, and led outdoor activities.

“One of the most challenging requirements was earning the hiking segment,” says Landon, who received National Outdoor Achievement Awards for camping, conservation and hiking. “I had to hike 200 miles on many extended trips.”

After becoming a Scout in second grade, Landon completed his Eagle Scout project, a brick paver path adjacent to Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church’s fellowship house, in 2018.

During his time in scouting, Landon has served in many troop capacities, including as senior patrol leader and quartermaster. In addition, he has held diverse leadership roles with Order of the Arrow, scouting’s honor society, including chapter vice chief,

Landon Hodgin ceremony team member and as a peer leader who helps induct new members. His scouting highlights have included being an assistant patrol leader for the World Scout Jamboree and serving as a staff member at Cherokee Scout Reservation summer camp. This summer, he went to Philmont Scout Ranch, Scouts BSA’s largest National High Adventure Base.

Landon, who is the son of Chris and Heather Hodgin, recently graduated from Caldwell Academy in Greensboro. He has been accepted into the honors program at NC State University where he plans to study engineering.

For more info about Scouts BSA Troop 600, visit www.scoutdude.com. Troop 600 meets Monday evenings at Oak Ridge Presbyterian Church.

SUMMERFIELD – Summerfield Stars Majors 12U, a travel baseball team comprised of boys “who love baseball,” battled heat, rain delays and other challenges along the way to clinching the Cal Ripken Blue Crab Week-Long Experience The Northwest Observer • Totally local since 1996 JULY 29 - AUG. 4, 2021 19

championship in the 12U division the week of July 12-16. The tournament was held in Aberdeen, Maryland.

“From Monday to Friday, they competed against teams from across the country and bonded together as a team, stronger after every

Summerfi eld Stars Majors 12U team members (not in photo order): Levi

Ponder, Caleb Hinnant, Simeon

Moore, Riley

Gladwell, Nathanael Lorczak,

Quentin Joyner,

Alex Broyles, Grayson Shelton, Carter Sheridan, Parker Daniels and Mason

Skelding. The team is coached by Gooch

Gladwell, David Lorczak and John Sheridan Photo courtesy of Ana Lorczak win!” wrote Ana Lorczak, mother of team member Nathanael Lorczak, on the team’s Facebook page. “Five straight days of baseball, eight games, and they ended the tournament undefeated! It was truly an incredible experience.”