Talk of the Neighborhood highlights Central Texans’ achievements.

* Applause *

* Three Boy Scouts with Troop 308 received their Eagle Scout award in ceremonies at First United Methodist Church of Waco on Jan. 18. Their Scoutmaster is Dr. Eddie Morrison.

Maxwell Howard Burgess, the son of Norm and Carol Burgess, is a junior at Midway High, where he is drum major of the marching band and a member of the jazz band. He also is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and a recipient of the Panther Pride Award the last two years. Max attends First Presbyterian Church.

Max’s Eagle project involved work at the Lorena Primary School playground. Max joins his two Eagle Scout brothers, Chris and Charlie.

Max has served as assistant senior patrol leader, patrol leader and troop bugler. Max attended the 2005 National Scout Jamboree, Sea Base and Northern Tier High Adventure Camps.

Brandon Kinslow, the son of Sam and Anne Kinslow, is a senior at China Spring High School. He is a member of the football team and the Fellowship of Christ-ian Ath-letes. Brandon is a member of First United Methodist Church.

Brandon’s Eagle service project involved landscaping for Waco Community Development Corp. Brandon joins his dad as an Eagle Scout.

He has served as the troop’s patrol leader, chaplin’s aide and Order of the Arrow representative. Brandon is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow and has attended summer camp at Worth Ranch, Sid Richardson and Philmont Scout Ranch.

Hunter Yowell, the son of Jimmy and Karen Yowell, is a sophomore at Midway High School and a member of Austin Avenue United Methodist Church.

Hunter’s Eagle service Project involved collecting and repairing bicycles to be sent to Haiti.

His troop leadership activities include chaplain aide, patrol leader and assistant senior patrol leader. Hunter has attended summer camp at Tahauya, Worth Ranch, Northern Tier and Sea Base High Adventure Camps.

He is a member of the Order of the Arrow.

* Emily Jackson, a 4-H member from Waco, won the Showmanship class in the Brangus Junior Breeding Beef Heifer Show at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo on Jan. 24. Junior show entries totaled 9,698 at this year’s show.

* Class Acts *

* Mia Mesta, a fourth-grader at La Vega Inter-mediate School, won first place in an essay contest for Kids, Kows & More, a program sponsored by Texas Agrilife Extension of McLennan County and Southwest Dairy Farmers.

Students went to the Heart of Texas Fair Complex to see a cow milked, how cheese is made, and history of the beef industry, among other topics.