Utley earns Eagle rank
Published 9:03 pm Saturday, July 9, 2016
Steven Utley, son of Wayne and Suzana Utley, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the highest achievement in Boy Scouts.
Steven, a member of Troop 1, chartered with Main Street United Methodist Church, received his medal at a Court of Honor on April 23.
Utley joined Cub Scout Pack 1 as a Tiger Cub in 2005. He received Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light, in 2010, and he crossed over into Boy Scout Troop 1 that same year.
Steven was elected into the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society, and is a Brotherhood member of the Wahunsenakah Lodge.
Steven held leadership positions in Troop 1 as the Troop’s Quartermaster and as a Patrol Leader. He currently serves as a Troop Guide, but hopes to become a Junior Assistant Scoutmaster when he is older.
For his Eagle Scout Leadership Project, Steven refurbished and painted the library at Main Street United Methodist Church.
Steven has cherished many memories from Troop 1, but the adventure to Philmont Scout Ranch was his favorite experience. Steven and his crew trekked more than 80 miles and climbed the second-highest mountain on the ranch.
Steven has attended Nansemond-Suffolk Academy since kindergarten. A rising senior, he is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. He has been involved in many clubs and is currently active in the debate and SADD groups.
Steven has played varsity golf at NSA for two years, and was runner-up state champion in 2015. In addition to golf, Steven enjoys playing the tuba and sousaphone in the concert and marching bands, and has played for six years.
His musical talents have been recognized by Drexel and Winthrop Universities, where he has been offered invitations into their music programs. In his most recent competition, the Saints earned Grand Champion, as well as two superiors.
Steven has been very involved in the new STEM lab at NSA, and is a lab assistant there. He has helped to set up the equipment and supervise projects.
In his senior year he will work side by side with students as a teacher’s aide and as a tech intern. This summer, he is working as an intern in the STEM lab during NSA summer programs.
He will also be attending Georgia Tech for the National Youth Leadership Forum in Technology and Engineering. He has aspirations to become a computer engineer.