Meet your Southern Region Area Boatswains for 2017-2018! Our region is divided into 9 “areas” – each of which consists of 8 to 12 councils. From a Sea Scout perspective, each area has an Area Commodore, the adult volunteer who serves as the Sea Scout Committee Chairman for that area, and an Area Boatswain, the senior youth leader in the area. Area Boatswains chair a quarterdeck made up of the Council Boatswains within their area and are the focal point for communication between ships and councils in their area. We have a great crew of Area Boatswains for this year, and there’s a lot going on across the region. If you aren’t sure which area you are in, here is a handy map produced by BSA. If you’d like to contact your Area Boatswain, use the contact form at http://southern.seascout.org – let us know where you’re from and we’ll get your message to the right Boatswain!
Trey is a member of Sea Scout Ship 700 in the Andrew Jackson Council in Jackson, Mississippi. His ship recently cruised aboard a 54’ sailboat out of Gulfport, Mississippi. He is an Eagle Scout and has participated in the Mobile Bay Sea Scout Academy.
Katie is an Ordinary Sea Scout of East Texas Area Council Ship 1, SSS Unique. She is serving as Boatswain Mate Program in her own ship currently as well. She is attending SEAL Galveston this 2017 summer, as well as working at Sea Star Base Galveston. Outside of scouting, Katie is an active member in many school organizations such as The Palestine High School Wildcat Band, where she plays the saxophone and serves as a Low Reeds Section Leader and other leadership positions. She is the co-captain of her school’s debate team and a three time Regional Qualifier in UIL Academics. Katie is on the tennis team, jazz band, Chemistry Club, and National Honor Society in her school as well.
Ryan is from Capitol Area Council Ship 911, SSS Response. He is a Quartermaster Sea Scout and an Eagle Scout. Ryan has graduated from Seattle SEAL (Charley Pod) and NYLT, and has served as Ship’s Boatswain, Capitol Area Council Boatswain’s Mate, Area 3 Boatswain, and Southern Region Boatswain.
Thomas is the Boatswain for Ship 185, in Apollo Beach Florida. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age of 13 and now has 77 Merit Badges. He recently completed his third term as the Senior Patrol Leader of Troop 180 (Tampa FL). He has served as Order of the Arrow Chaplain, Chapter Chief and now Vice Chief of Operations and was awarded the 2016-17 Chapter Chief of the Year Award from the Uh-To-Yeh-Hut-Tee Lodge. In 2014, he was appointed to staff the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council’s National Youth Leadership Training Course where he has continued to serve and teach leadership for the past 4 courses. Thomas is an honors student in numerous subjects including a Texas A&M Pre-Veterinary Program. Although being a Floridian who has a passion for sailing, his favorite sport is downhill skiing and in 2017 was selected to be a ski instructor trainee for the Jackson Hole Mountain Ski Resort. When not sailing, he enjoys playing on his High School Tennis Team and playing the guitar. He is on track to earn Quartermaster in the Spring of 2018.
Caleb received his Arrow of Light in Cub Scouting at age 10, earned his Eagle Scout Award at age 13 and joined Sea Scouts at age 14. He has completed all of the Merit Badges offered as of January 2017 as well as the National Outdoor Award which included over 300 miles of hiking, cycling, and backpacking. He enjoys rappelling and sailing. He believes that Scouting teaches important life skills and looks forward to serving as the Area 5 Boatswain this year.
Samuel, from the Chickasaw Council, Samuel, is a life-long scout. He has earned the rank of, Eagle Scout with cross silver palms, and is a Venturing Silver recipient. He is an Able Seaman, working towards his Quartermaster, within the ranks of Ship 73. Samuel has completed NYLT, Wilderness First Aid/CPR and Woodbadge. Held almost every position in Ship 73, including the position of Boatswain. Currently being the Ship Specialist.
He has been intimately involved in his Council, serving as president of the Chickasaw Council’s Venturing Officer’s Association. He is a four year staffer at Kia Kima Scout Reservation as an instructor in scoutcraft, and a member of the Commissioner Corp. Samuel is currently pursuing a degree in Criminal Investigation, with plans of a career as a homicide detective.
Penelope is from Colonial Virginia Council Ship 37, where she has served as Ship Boatswain. She is nearing completion of the requirements for Able rank, and is a certified lifeguard. In addition to her Sea Scout and Venture Scout activities, Penelope enjoys playing piano, singing with her church praise band, and playing on her varsity softball team.
Benjamin is from the Last Frontier Council. He has been involved in scouting since he was six, starting as a cub scout in Maryland. He earned his Arrow of Light in Hampton, Virginia and continued on into Boy Scouts. He moved to Moore in 2012 and joined Troop 75 to continue his Boy Scout career. He joined Ship 5131 out of Lake Hefner in OKC in 2014. He is in the Moore High School Band program, playing French Horn and Mellophone.
Benjamin is an Eagle Scout, has earned his bronze palm and is on his way to earn his gold and silver palms as well. He hopes to expand the Sea Scout program throughout Area 8 and be closer to not only Venture Crews, but Scouting troops as well. He currently is a junior at Moore High School, graduating in the Class of 2018.
Anna has been involved in Sea Scouting in SSS100 “Southwinds,” since she was 14, but was involved in scouting by volunteering for Cub Scouts long before that. Anna has served as ship, council, and area boatswain in the past. She graduated from the Chesapeake SEAL course in July of 2015. Also, she has recently been awarded the Sea Scout Leadership Award. She has a passion for sailing, navigating, and imparting her knowledge and experience to younger scouts.
Anna is involved in several activities outside of scouting. She attends Woodstock High in Georgia. At Woodstock, she is a member of the varsity swim team, and has received a varsity letter twice. She is also very involved in Naval JROTC, and has completed NJROTC Sail Academy and has been awarded Cadet of the Year. She intends to pursue a career in the United States Navy or Air Force.