Scouts earn Eagle rank

William Dodson

William Dodson, a member of Troop 63 at Canterbury United Methodist Church, recently achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Troop 63 is under the leadership of Harold Wells Jr., David Dowd and Russ Carothers.

On his way to Eagle Scout rank, Dodson earned 22 merit badges and the God and Country Award. He served in several leadership positions including den liaison to Cub Scout Pack 63 and patrol leader, and he participated in Troop 63’s Leadership Training Weekend at The University of the South. Dodson also attended the Northern Tier High Adventure Program, where he and members of his troop hiked and canoed more than 125 miles in the boundary lakes area between Minnesota and Canada.

For his Eagle Scout service project, Dodson poured a concrete pad and built an outdoor brick barbecue grill complete with steel stoking and clean-out doors at East Lake United Methodist Church. The grill will be used by the church’s youth group for cookouts and fundraisers. The congregation will also use it to reach out to the surrounding community for gatherings centered around food and fellowship. Dodson raised funds for the project and coordinated volunteer efforts. Remaining funds were donated to the church’s youth group.

A Court of Honor was held at the grill at East Lake United Methodist Church, followed by dinner prepared on the grill. The event was attended by church members, East Lake community members, family and friends. 

Dodson is a senior at Mountain Brook High School where he has been a member of the cross country team and the indoor and outdoor track teams. He is a member of the National Honor Society, Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society and the Spanish Honor Society, and is an active member of Canterbury United Methodist Church.

He is the son of Jeannie and Cal Dodson. He is the grandson of Jean Hufham and the late Paul Hufham Jr. of Dothan and June Dodson and the late Cecil Dodson Jr. of Birmingham.

Charlie Geiss

Charles “Charlie” Joseph Geiss, a member of Troop 320, has earned the highest rank in Boy Scouts. Geiss was recognized at his Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony at Mountain Brook Presbyterian Church on Sept. 12. Troop 320 is led by Scoutmaster Frank Tynes.

For his Eagle Scout project Geiss improved the Wayside Trail at Camp Winnataska by creating a much-needed trailhead, planting trees along the trail and marking areas for future plantings. Wayside Trail leads to Camp Winnataska’s outdoor chapel, which is used by campers year round. He has been attending Camp Winnataska since he was six years old. He volunteers as a counselor there during the summers and works with young campers to help them enjoy their outdoor experience and to deepen their faith in God.

Geiss began his career in Scouts as a Tiger Cub and completed Cub Scouts, earning the Arrow of Light. While in Troop 320, he held many leadership positions including being elected by his peers into the Order of the Arrow. He was also elected as the troop’s senior patrol leader. Charlie earned 27 merit badges, enough to earn his first Palm in addition to his Eagle.

Geiss is a junior at Mountain Brook High School, where he is a member of the marching and symphonic bands as well as the Theatre Department. 

Charlie is the son of Linda Geiss and the late Chuck Geiss, who served as an assistant scout master for Troop 320 until his untimely passing last year. He is the grandson of Joseph G. Smith and the late Jewelene T. Smith of Atlanta and the late Albert E. and Virginia H. Geiss of Mountain Brook.

Geiss’ grandfather and his cousins Steve Traylor of Clanton and Jimmy Traylor of Chelsea mentored Charlie during his Eagle Scout project and received mentor pins from him at his Court of Honor ceremony.