05-03-2025
Meet the four Scouts of the Year for 2025 for the Middle TN Council of Scouting America
Here's a look at the four Scouts of the Year set to be honored by the Middle Tennessee Council of Scouting America at its annual Nashville Patron Luncheon on Thursday, March 6 at the Music City Center.
The luncheon, where former U.S. House Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tennessee, is slated to speak, is expected to raise more than $1.9 million for programs for youth in Scouting, organizers said.
Scouting America, will hold its 33rd Annual Nashville Patron Luncheon on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the Music City Center. This highly anticipated fundraising event, attended by more than 800 supporters each year, aims to raise over $1.9 million to benefit youth involved in Scouting.
The honorees:
Cole, a third grader at Cornersville Elementary School in Cornersville, Tenn., is a Bear Scout in Pack 273 in Lewisburg.
As a Wolf Scout last year, Cole created and sold a collection of drawings for $300 to help pay down student lunch debt at his school.
"His inspiring actions did not stop there," Scouting organizers wrote. "His generosity influenced the congregation of First Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, who were so moved by his efforts that they organized their own fundraising campaign to help pay the remaining Cornersville Elementary's lunch debt of $516.
"Cole's commitment to making a difference has not only relieved financial burdens but has also inspired a community to come together in support of a worthy cause."
Ilyana, a junior at Ensworth High School, is an Eagle Scout whose service project was creating solar-powered charging devices for people in Nashville's homeless community. She worked with Nashville nonprofit Room in the Inn to distribute the chargers for cell phones, iPads and other portable tech devices.
Ilyana also earned a Presidential Service Gold Award for completing more than 250 hours of volunteer work, and she also earned the U.S. Congressional Award Service Medal for her commitment to service. Among the projects she works on is Sew Powerful, which provides period products to young women in Zambia.
Ilyana also serves as senior patrol leader for her troop, and she has been asssistant senior patrol leader and historian.
"Her commitment to Scout Spirit shines through in her continuous efforts to help others and do her best in all endeavors," the council leaders wrote. "Ilyana's passion for service, leadership, and empowering others reflects her dedication to making a lasting impact in both her community and the world."
Lucas, a senior at Glencliff High School in Nashville, is a Life Scout with Troop 418 in Nashville and "has an unyielding passion for Scouting and a deep commitment to making an enduring impact on his community," the council wrote.
"His noble attitude and remarkable resilience have distinguished him as a role model whose influence reaches well beyond the confines of his troop. Whether overcoming personal hardships or seizing new opportunities, Lucas exemplifies the true essence of perseverance and grace."
Lucas is an important part of the Order of Arrow cooking staff at Boxwell Reservation, a Scouting campground in Lebanon where he shows "unparalleled leadership, selflessness, and an exceptional dedication to service," the council wrote.
Emerson, a home-schooled high school senior who also takes classes at Volunteer State Community College in Gallatin, is at Eagle Scout in Troup 75 and Crew 1234 in Hendersonville.
Emerson has been a consistent leader in Scouting, both as senior patrol leader for his troop and as senior patrol leader for the Middle Tennessee Council's National Jamboree Contingent. Emerson also is active with the Order of the Arrow, Scouting's National Honor Society, going to two national Order of the Arrow conferences and servicing as Order of the Arrow representative for the Boxwell summer camp staff.
"His commitment to Scouting extends beyond his troop," the Council wrote, "as he actively promotes camping, recruits Cub Scouts, visits all the Troops in his District, and serves as an OA leader."
Reach Brad Schmitt at brad@ or at 615-259-8384.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Scouting America: The four Scouts of the Year for Middle Tennessee
