'Gathering of Eagles' to honor Sam Houston Area Council Eagle Scouts

Tommy Spaulding

The Eagle Scout Association of the Sam Houston Area Council (SHAC) will formally honor the new class of Eagle Scouts at a Gathering of Eagles reception on Saturday, April 30.

At the reception, 2010 Eagle Scout John-Russell Thornburg will receive the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. This award recognizes an Eagle Scout project for a religious institution, school, community or other entity.

Seven Eagle Scouts will receive the National Eagle Scout Association (NESA) Outstanding Eagle Scout Award. New in 2011, the NESA Outstanding Eagle Scout Award (NOESA) is a recognition granted by the local council Eagle Scout association to Eagle Scouts who have demonstrated outstanding achievement at the local, state or regional level.

The NOESA honorees are Dr. Kenneth D. Wells, president of Alken Health Resources, Stan C. Stanley, president of Stanley Signature Products Inc., Judge Donald A. Smyth of Harris County Criminal Court at Law Number 13, Dr. Robert H. Christopher Jr., a dentist, David A. Van Kleeck, a regional manager for Ethylene Oxide and Derivatives, Shell Global Solutions, A.T. Blackshear Jr., a partner with Fulbright & Jaworski and L.E. Simmons, president of SCF Partners.

Best-selling author and Eagle Scout Tommy Spaulding will deliver the keynote address, reading from his book, It's Not Just Who You Know. The event is open to all area Eagle Scouts affiliated or unaffiliated with the Sam Houston Area Council.

Tickets are $30 and sponsor levels are available until Thursday, April 28. Contact the Eagle Scout Association at info@thegatheringofeagles-houston.org or learn more here.

The event will be held from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at The Berry Center, located at 8877 Barker-Cypress Road in Cypress.