Will Stephens Earns Eagle Scout Rank

February 11, 2019
By: Bill Conger

Bill Conger

Another member of Smithville Boy Scout Troop 347 has graduated to the rank of Eagle Scout. Will Stephens, the son of Doug and Beth Stephens officially received Scouting’s highest honor during a recent ceremony at the DeKalb County Community Complex.

Stephens says the achievement means a lot to him.

“It prepares you for real life situations, so if something was to happen you’ll know what to do,” Stephens said following the ceremony. “You know how to organize people to help them get what they need done.  It helps with a lot of careers and college applications because they’ll notice there’s something different about you because scouting does make you different. It makes you a better person. It makes you a leader in the community. They see that. It would help me in the long run to further my education and well-being in life.”

As part of his journey to Eagle, Stephens had to perform a service project from initiation to completion including fundraising, gathering supplies and organizing helpers. After talking with Mayor Tim Stribling, Stephens decided to construct benches for the county complex.

“I asked him what does the community need, and I obviously told him a few ideas I had. He said, ‘Well, now that you mention it, I think the community center does need benches. My original idea was to make it out of wood and paint it. Then, as I was looking into it, I asked him if it would be better to use composite wood. It’s recycled wood, so it’s better for the environment, and it’ll stay here longer. It’s not as easy to vandalize.  He thought that was an awesome idea. The mayor was a very critical role. He worked very well with me and my project, and I really appreciated that.”

Stephens also earned a variety of merit badges Camping, Swimming, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, and Citizenship in the World, Cooking, Environmental Science, First Aid, Emergency Preparedness, Family Life, Personal Fitness, Communications, Personal Management, and Hiking. Stephens also earned the World Conservation Award, and his peers chose him for the Order of the Arrow, a service organization for higher ranked Scouts.

Stephens started as a Cub Scout with Den 8 under Eric Birmingham’s leadership.

“It feels like just a few weeks ago I was putting paint on my Pinewood Derby cars and running them,” Stephens said. “Then, whenever I transitioned to Boy Scouts, it changed the whole thing from being leader organized to Scout organized, where we do the leading. We do all the stuff. It took me back from seeing what I used to be to what I am now.”

February 10, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Democratic Leaders from across the 6th District gathered in Smithville on Saturday for a Leadership Meeting with Tennessee Democratic Party Chair Mary Mancini. The 6th Congressional District includes Cannon, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, White, Wilson, and portions of Cheatham and Van Buren counties.

Mancini said the purpose of the meeting was to share ideas with County Chairs, State Executive Committee members, County Executive Committee members, and candidates about plans for the next two years.

“We are meeting with democratic leaders in the 6^th congressional district to talk about how we are all going to move forward together as democrats and what our shared goals are, our shared mission, and our shared values,” said Mancini.

Although 2019 is not a big election year, Mancini said the work of the party goes. “There are no off years. We have a lot of work to do. We started the day after the election in 2018 and we are going to continue to do that. We move forward by all working together toward the same goal of electing more democrats at every level. We share ideas, strategies, and tactics and we make sure we are all moving forward together in all ninety five counties and at the Tennessee Democratic Party in Nashville as well as the DNC in Washington,” Mancini continued.

Democrats, Mancini said, want to connect with the people of Tennessee that their message is one of opportunity for all.

“It’s a very simple message. It’s that Tennessee democrats believe that everyone no matter who you are and what you look like and where you live should have the opportunity for a better life for yourself and for your family. You should have the opportunity to have a hospital close by that you can take your child to if God forbid they break an arm or something or even worse or if your parent has a heart attack. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity for an education that fits their vision for a better future and that does not matter, black, white, gay, straight. It doesn’t matter what God you pray to or if you live in urban or rural areas. It’s important for everyone to have that opportunity for a better life. That is literally what democrats believe in and that’s our message and our values we want to share with everyone,” said Mancini.

“We are a political family, and for us to move forward it is important that everyone have their concerns and experiences addressed as we gear up for the 2020 elections. I want to thank Chair Mancini for agreeing to participate in this leadership meeting,” added Jordan Wilkins, Chair of the County Chairs for the 6th Congressional District.

February 9, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

The DCHS basketball teams closed out the regular season at home Friday night hosting Monterey on senior night.

The Lady Tigers won 92 to 50 but the Tigers lost to the Wildcats 57 to 41.

Seniors and their parents recognized between games Friday night (shown in video below) are cheerleaders Zoe Maynard and Callie Mulloy; bookkeeper Madi Cantrell; manager Madison Whitehead; Lady Tigers Lydia Brown, Maddison Parsley, and Joni Robinson; and Tigers Nathan Atkins, Josh Carlton, Brayden Howard, Noah Martin, Colter Norris, Tanner Poss, Hayden Thomas, and Isaac Walker.

M2U02889 from dwayne page on Vimeo.

In the girls game, DC led 14 to 12 after the 1^st period, 45 to 23 at halftime, and 63 to 40 after the 3^rd period before winning 92 to 50.

Kadee Ferrell scored 25, Lydia Brown and Joni Robinson each with 17, Megan Cantrell 9, Emme Colwell and Mya Ruch each with 6, Mallori Hart and Ellie Cripps each with 3, and Maddison Parsley , Summer Crook, and Leah Davis each with 2.

For the boys, DC trailed 17 to 7 after the 1^st period, 32 to 18 at halftime, and 45 to 27 after the 3^rd period before losing to Monterey 57 to 41.

Tanner Poss scored 12, Colter Norris and Nathan Atkins each scored 6, Hayden Thomas and Evan Jones each with 4, Noah Martin, Dallas Cook, Dakota White, and Brayden Howard each with 2, and Issac Walker with 1.

The Lady Tigers end the regular season at 19-8 and the Tigers finish at 5-22.

The district tournament begins next week.