At the regular City of West Columbia August meeting, City Council passed a resolution recognizing Boy Scout Patrol Troop 331 of Mt. Hebron United Methodist Church for their Eagle Scout Award and Community Service Projects in West Columbia.

Those scouts are left to right: Jackson Long, Ben Welch, Bryce Addy, Jacob Blalock, Garrett “Rhett” Galloway, Jacob Hewitt, Hunter Purvis. Pretty Pictures – Vickie Lovett photo.

The Scout Master is Jimmy Bristow, with Assistant Scout Masters: Todd Blalock; Brian Addy; Mike Artlip; Cecil Purvis; and Todd Hewitt.

Below is some information about each scout’s project.

• Jacob Hewitt
My Eagle Scout project was to build horse shoe pits at Springdale Baptist church for the use of the church and the community.
I plan to attend the University of South Carolina – Beaufort to major in Hospitality Management and then later go to culinary school to become a chef.

• Ben Welch
My project involved a mini library for parents of children at Hebron Day School to share children’s books they have already read, as well as a mobile book storage unit used by the teachers to move and store education materials. I plan to attend Clemson University in the fall and study mechanical engineering.

• Jacob Blalock
For my project I designed and built a hammock nest area consisting of steel pipe which was welded painted and place into a circular shape. On top of this I also purchased and donated 8 hammocks to go with the area.
I plan to go to Clemson university and study criminal justice in the fall.

• Jackson Long
Eagle Scout Project: My Eagle Scout Project was to make two baseball helmet racks for each of the four fields at Pineview DYB, totaling eight baseball helmet racks. These baseball helmet racks would give the players a place to put their helmets or any other baseball gear and help tidy up the dugouts.
Future Plans: I am going to attend the University of South Carolina and plan to get a degree in Sports Marketing.

• Bryce Addy
Bryce Addy was awarded his Eagle Scout Rank on November 8th 2016. His Project was to build a fire pit and benches at Mt. Hermon Lutheran Church. He graduated from Brookland-Cayce High school this past year and plans after high school are to leave to join the U.S. Navy.

• Garrett “Rhett” Galloway, Jr.
Eagle Scout and Assistant Scoutmaster in the Boy Scouts of America program, Mt. Hebron UMC Troop 331.
My Eagle Project consisted of the planning, building and installation of three park benches for West Columbia Parks. These benches were made from powder coated metal frames with 4×4 pieces of treated lumber as the seats and backrests. Two of these benches were installed in Fowler Park and the other was installed at the Reeves Community Center Park. These benches allow for families who visit the park to have comfortable places to sit and read, relax, or for parents to watch their children play.
I would not change anything about my Scouting career. I have learned so much throughout my 9 years in the program. I see myself involved in some way with the Scouting program for many years to come.
I believe the most important thing that Boy Scouts has taught me is how to lead and teach people. My experience as Patrol Leader, Chaplain Aide, Quartermaster and now as an Assistant Scoutmaster has inspired me to become a leader in the workplace.
As I move forward from the Boy Scouts program, I am going to further my education at USC Beaufort. There, I will be enrolled in the Honors College and will be pursuing a degree in Business Management.

Hunter Wilson Purvis, son of Melissa and Cecil Purvis of Springdale, earned his Eagle rank as a member of Boy Scout Troop 331 on December 28, 2016.  For his Eagle project, Hunter designed and constructed a commercial tetherball court, made of concrete.  He painted the court and installed commercial park benches at the Turbeville Children’s Home in Turbeville, SC.   Turbeville Children’s Home serves all counties in South Carolina including Lexington County. 

Hunter graduated with high honors from Airport High School in May of 2020.  He received an academic scholarship to attend Presbyterian College this fall.  He will be studying Pre-Dental with a future concentration in Orthodontics.