Nilson, Christian Nilson, Mayor Ed MacDougall, Bethany Nilson, Councilmembers Peggy Bell and Mary
Ann Mixon.
Two young Cutler Bay residents — Bethany Nilson and her brother, Christian — received proclamations from the mayor and town council during the regular council meeting on Mar. 21 for their accomplishments in Scouting. Their father and grandfather were Eagle Scouts, so the family tradition continues.
Christian Herbert Nilson, currently a senior at Palmetto High School and a member of Boy Scout Troop 20, Thunderbird District, was recognized for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout and for his Leadership Service Project. The project he created, developed and coordinated involved the preservation of artifacts at the Deering Estate at Cutler.
“It means a lot,” Christian Nilson said.
“The most important factor though is the fact that other people get to see me get something like that and it promotes Scouting. That’s sort of what it’s all about, spreading it to other people who may need our program.”
His future plans include an interest in journalism and photography. Being a third generation Eagle Scout is significant to him.
“Yes, that’s very important to me as well,” he said. “I’ve been working toward it my whole life, basically. Scouting is just a great program that needs to be maintained.”
His sister, Bethany Paige Nilson, who is 20 and in her second year at Miami Dade College, was recognized for attaining the Venturing Silver Award, which is the highest award in the Venturing program. She is a member of Venturing Crew 314 in the Thunderbird District. Aprogram of the Boy Scouts of America, Venturing “provides positive experiences to help young men and women mature, and to prepare them to become responsible and caring adults.”
To earn the Venturing Silver Award, candidates must be proficient in emergency preparedness, participate in Ethics in Action, complete the Venturing Leadership Skills Course, earn a Venturing Gold Award, and earn at least one of the five Venturing Bronze awards.
Like her brother, she was appreciative of the proclamation given her by the town council.
“I told them I was very thankful for the award and I’m going to continue my service to the community, just as they have been serving us over the years,” she said.
She is interested in pursuing a career as a professional photographer.
Both students will be honored during an official ceremony at the South Florida Council Eagle Awards Dinner on May 5.
