TOP PHOTO: Troop 310 and Troop 435 presented the colors at the 14th annual Good Scout Award Dinner.

Class of 1965 Eagle Scout Knud Salveson presented a shadow box to Eagle Scout Elijah Lamb to display his certificate.

By Charlotte Underwood   

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Two “cornerstones of the community” were honored at the 14th annual Boy Scouts of America Good Scout Award Dinner Thursday evening and more than $11,000 was raised for scouting programs. 

Community volunteer and educator Clarence Lowe was the recipient of this year’s Good Scout Award for his many years of service to his community, and long-time school teacher Linda Agee was the recipient of the Elbert K. Fretwell Award for exceptional service to education. 

A large crowd gathered at the Ball Farm Event Center to celebrate and honor the pair, as well as the accomplishments of local BSA Troops. 

Clarence Lowe was the Good Scout Award recipient at Thursday evening’s Campbell County Good Scout Award Dinner. Lowe is a cornerstone of the community with volunteerism and leadership.

Lowe has a 38 year teaching career and has served his community in various capacities, including 30 years as a volunteer for the Campbell County Cancer Association and 10 years as the chairman of the Campbell County Republican Party. He also helped organize Friends of Cove Lake State Park, among many other accomplishments and services. According to those that know him, Lowe’s level of community volunteerism is “rarely matched.”

Chancery Court Judge Elizabeth Asbury was the keynote speaker at the 14th Annual Good Scout Award Dinner honoring Clarence Lowe. Asbury shares a hug with Lowe after presenting him with a gift, a copy of former Congressman Jimmy Duncan’s book, From Batboy to Congressman: Thirty Years in the US House, at Thursday evening’s event. Lowe and Duncan have been friends for more than 50 years.

Chancery Court Judge Elizabeth Asbury was the keynote speaker for the event. She had the “privilege” to talk about the life and service of Good Scout Award recipient Clarence Lowe.

“Clarence Lowe and Mrs. Agee are both examples of people that have worked in the education system and had a huge impact on students and been mentors to me, and I’m sure many of you,” Asbury said.

When speaking of Lowe, Asbury said it was hard to cover it all. She shared memories that former students had of Mr. Lowe and how he had impacted their lives, as well as comments from friends and community leaders.

“This man has been so many things to Campbell County. Clarence has been a treasured friend to all he has interacted with throughout his life. He’s been a mentor to his students, a very active community volunteer, and he has served his church. Clarence works for the community without any expectations of recognition. He’s the man behind the scenes that makes it all happen, and he doesn’t want to be recognized for it, but he totally deserves it,” Asbury said.

She went on to say Lowe exemplifies the attributes set forth in the scout oath. 

Lowe said he was humbled by the recognition. 

“It’s really an honor to be honored tonight with this award. I love Campbell County so much. I had wonderful students at both schools,” Lowe said. Lowe taught at Oneida High School (1969-1983) and Campbell County High School (1983-2007).

He also said he “appreciated his family so much and all his friends.”

Jennifer Fields, Director of Campbell County Schools, presented Linda Agee with the Elbert K. Fretwell Award. Agee is a career educator as a teacher and principal.

Linda Agee’s teaching career spans more than 30 years. She served Jacksboro Middle School and High School during this time and was one of the first female principals in Campbell County. She is the third recipient of the award.

“It’s much easier to do a good job when you’re having fun. I did enjoy my job, and I had some very good teachers and boy is that important. I had good assistant principals, and I had a lot of support,” Agee said upon receiving the award. 

A multitude of community leaders and officials were in attendance, as well as several previous Good Scout recipients. Dr. James Farris was the Senior Boy Scout in attendance at the event. Farris was last year’s honoree.

Frankie Bacon, right, along with her son Vaughn Bacon and his wife Maggie Bacon, attended Thursday evening’s Good Scout dinner. Frankie’s husband Albert Bacon, who passed away in October, was honored with a moment of silence at Thursday’s event for his support of Scouts in Campbell County.

Class of 2010 Eagle Scout David Hickman asked that a moment of silence be taken in recognition of Boy Scout supporters lost over the last 12 months including Jack Reynolds, Albert Bacon and Eddie Wheeler. 

First Class Scout Danny Garrett received a lengthy standing ovation for his speech on the Good of Scouting.

Troop 310 and Troop 435 presented the colors, while Star Scout Macy Kibler delivered the invocation. First Class Scout Danny Garrett received a lengthy standing ovation for his speech on the “Good of Scouting” and how being a “Scout had changed his life.”

Class of 1965 Eagle Scout Knud Salveson presented a shadow box to most recently inducted Eagle Scout Elijah Lamb to recognize his achievement. It is traditional to present each Eagle Scout with a shadow box to properly display their Eagle Scout certificate.

Eagle Scout Elijah Lamb received a shadow box to display his Eagle Scout certificate. Lamb was added to the Eagle Scout ranks in 2021.

Campbell County School board chairman Johnny Byrge was recognized as a “True Friend of Scouting” for doing an “outstanding job of supporting scouting in Campbell County.”

School Board Chairman Johnny Byrge was the recipient of the “True Friend of Scouting” Award at Thursday evening’s Good Scout Award Dinner.

The evening was also a celebration of local Scouting accomplishments over the past year. Campbell County Scouting Pride Points for 2021 included more than 1,000 Community service hours, 19 ranks earned, including one Eagle Scout, 54 individual merit badges earned, 100-percent high school graduation rate, the revitalization of Cub Scout Pack 108 and the formation of the first female Scouts BSA Troop in Campbell County.

State Representative Dennis Powers reads a proclamation honoring Linda Agee, recipient of the Elbert K. Fretwell Award, honoring her for her years of service to the Campbell County education system.

State Representative Dennis Powers read a proclamation in honor of both Clarence Lowe and Linda Agee, honoring them on the state level for their years of service to education and to their communities. 

Good Scout Dinner Chair Logan Hickman was also recognized for his support to Scouting in Campbell County.

Logan Hickman, chairman of Boy Scouts of America Campbell County Good Scout dinner, gave a big thanks to table hosts, supporters, sponsors and all “who help make Scouting available to everyone.”

He also thanked corporate sponsor, Peoples Bank of the South, who for the 14th time underwrote the dinner so all funds from the evening could go towards scouts. 

People’s Bank, its directors and employees also donated thousands towards the $51,000 fundraising goal. Thursday’s fundraising dinner raised $11,208, making the total raised locally for scouting $46,195. Money raised at the event will support Campbell County Scouting over the next year. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 03/18/2022-6AM)

Related