Talk of the Neighborhood highlights Central Texans’ achievements.

* Applause *

* Four Boy Scouts in Troop 497 were recognized for attaining the rank of Eagle Scout during a Court of Honor ceremony Feb. 6 at Fellowship Baptist Church.

Brandon Pape, the son of Dr. Eckart and Stephanie Pape of Woodway, began scouting in the first grade in Cub Scout Pack 72 of Fort Polk, La., where he earned the Arrow of Light award. He crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 346 of Colorado Springs, Colo., in February 2004 and joined Boy Scout Troop 497 in September 2004. For his Eagle project, Brandon constructed a covered children’s play area at Fellowship Bible Church on Speegleville Road.

Brandon is a junior at Midway High School and plans on attending the Air Force Academy to become a fighter pilot.

Travis Carver, the son of David and Joy Carver of Waco, began scouting in the fifth grade in Cub Scout Pack 457 of Elm Mott, where he earned the Arrow of Light award. He joined Boy Scout Troop 497 in 2001. For his Eagle project, Travis reconstructed a bridge and painted guardrails on other bridges at Buena Vista Park in Waco.

Travis is a senior at La Vega High School and plans on attending McMurry University to earn a degree in business marketing and management while playing football. He joins his brother Matthew, their father David, and uncle Dick Carver in the rank of Eagle Scout.

Colin Pritchard, the son of Larry and Katherine Pritchard of Crawford, began scouting in the first grade as a Tiger Cub in Cub Scout Pack 308 of First United Methodist Church in Waco and transferred to Cub Scout Pack 497 where he earned the Arrow of Light award. He crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 497 in February 2003. For his Eagle project, Colin reconstructed the upper trail at the Lake Waco Wetlands on the North Bosque River.

A homeschooled junior, he plans to attend Baylor University to study medicine or dentistry. Colin joins his three older brothers, Jack, Brandon and Addison Pritchard in the rank of Eagle Scout.

Douglas Myers, the son of Wayne and Vanessa Myers of Woodway, began scouting in first grade as a Tiger Cub in Cub Scout Pack 497 and earned the Arrow of Light award. He crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 497 in February 2005. For his Eagle project, Douglas constructed a wooden fence set in concrete around a grove of trees at the Carleen Bright Arboretum of Woodway.

Douglas is a sophomore at Midway High School and plans to attend Texas A&M-Galveston to study marine biology. He joins his older brother Mitchell in the rank of Eagle Scout.

* Class Acts *

* Local students named to the dean’s list at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches for the fall semester were:

Lauren Blackmon, an orientation and mobility major from China Spring; Sara MacAulay, a theater major from Hewitt; Lindsey Pick, an interdisciplinary studies major from Hewitt; Jennifer Talley, a hospitality administration major from Hewitt; Jordan Clements, akinesiology major from Waco; and Monica Gladney, akinesiology major from Waco.

* In the Military *

* Air Force Airman Joe L. Villanueva, the son of Theresa Gomez of McGregor and Joe Villanueva of Woodway, graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

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