Another Eagle Scout Soars In Vidalia
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Vidalia High School Senior Nicholas Matthews has risen to his final rank as a Boy Scout, as he was officially celebrated as an Eagle Scout during a ceremony last month.
Matthews is the son of Alysa Marsicano; he has been active in Boy Scouts since he was a young child, as he began as a cub scout and continued through the program for his entire childhood before becoming an Eagle.
“Only around 2% of scouts become Eagles. It’s even more rare for a kid to get Ar- continued from page
row of Light, which means you have gone all the way up in rank from cub scouts to Eagle,” he explained. “It feels great to be an Eagle Scout. It’s really rewarding and kind of bittersweet,” Matthews said that becoming a scout was his mother’s idea, as she wanted him to have opportunities to enjoy the world around him while also being a part of a strong community of positive male role models. “I was not really the most outdoorsy kid when I was younger. Truth be told, I did always like the outdoors, but I never really involved myself with going outside,” he explained. “I guess my mom really wanted me to do things when I was younger, so she put me in cub scouts. I didn’t really like it at first, and it wasn’t until around my third year of scouting that I truly enjoyed it. I think I took a lot of that time for granted.”
Matthews shared that a lot of his feelings about scouting came because he felt that he never truly fit in with other guys. “I was pushed around a lot when I was younger. I was always dealing with bullies because I was always smaller than everyone – I was just the runt of the litter, I guess,” he added. “But around my third year of scouting, I really started enjoying what all I was learning and the people around me. It was a great experience, and it made me who I am today.”
He talked about several of the people he met through scouting that had impacted his life – especially Scout Leader Win Tippett. “[During the Eagle Scout ceremony,] I gave Mr. Win my pin because he’s pretty much always been there for me. He’s the one that always made sure that I wasn’t getting bullied. He was always really like a father to me. He would come to my Tales From The Altamaha productions, band performances, and all. Even when he couldn’t come, he still would send me a text saying he wished he could be there. He has been with me through it all since I started,” Matthews emphasized.
To become an Eagle Scout, Matthews was required to complete an Eagle Project. For his Eagle Project, he worked to renovate the Lyons Community Church youth building. “Before we renovated it, they didn’t use it much, and there was clutter. It was really dark in there, too,” he explained. “Really, what I mainly transformed was taking something that was dark and making it colorful. It looks like a kids’ book, but I enjoy it, and they do, too.”
He said that the idea for the renovation came naturally while talking to individuals from the Church, who shared that they wanted to make the space look completely different.
Matthews recounted some of his favorite trips while scouting, which included both an unforgettable view on the Appalachian Trail in recent years and the group’s annual visits to the U.S.S. Yorktown.
“We were at the Appalachian Trail and it was early in the morning, but I had the most beautiful scenery right in front of me. I mean it was like some of those videos that you watch [on social media] that show mountain scenes and calm music. I could see the mountain right in front of me – it had green and orange leaves – and the wind was blowing and the sun was right at golden hour. I’ll never forget it,” Matthews remarked. “My other favorite trip is definitely to the U.S.S. Yorktown. I was born in that area, and it always felt so special because we went there each year around the time of my birthday.”
While reminiscing about these trips, Matthews said that one memory that stands out to him is when the group was kayaking during sunset, and Scoutmaster Kim Stephens told the boys, “It sure is a shame for kids who don’t go to Boy Scouts that don’t get to see something like this every day.”
“It is such a privilege to go outside and go explore,” he said. “I’m trying to get into Georgia Tech, and if I do, I’m going to be in the city – the most camping I’m going to get is if I’m camping out in a parking lot waiting for traffic to end. I won’t have those experiences every day. So, it really is a shame that there are kids that don’t get to experience the outdoors like that.”
He said that these trips and the memories made while scouting will never be forgotten, as he has gained a lot more experiences and skills than he would have ever developed without scouting.
Matthews spoke about his admiration for the importance scouting placed on community service, as he said that he had experienced the joy and excitement that can come from serving others in his community, and hopes to continue serving his community in the future. “In scouting, you are definitely involved in the community. For instance, last year, during Hurricane Helene clean-up, we went around and helped people with their yards. We worked from 6 a.m. or 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. in the afternoon. It made a difference though – those people won’t forget that either. We did it all for free,” he remarked. “Scouting definitely gives you a heart for the community.”
When asked his advice for younger scouts or those just starting out in the program, Matthews commented, “Don’t look at scouting as something to brush off – treat it like something that you enjoy and to have goals for. Celebrate your accomplishments in it.”
He shared that he had moments throughout this scouting journey where it would seem easier to give up, as his schedule was often busy with band practice and other activities, but he persevered because he knew he was learning lessons that would transition throughout his life and help to prepare him for the future.
ENCOURAGED BY HIS MOTHER – Nicholas Matthews said he was encouraged by his mother to both begin and continue scouting throughout the years. L to R: Nicholas Matthews, grandmother Magdalene Marsicano, mother Alysa Marsicano.Photo by Evan Riekhof
A FATHER FIGURE – Nicholas Matthews explained that Scout Leader Win Tippett (left) had become a father figure to him throughout his years of scouting, as Tippett always supported him throughout his endeavors.Photo by Evan Riekhof
RIDING CLUB PROVIDES THANKSGIVING MEALS — Members of the Sons of Smoke motorcycle riding club partnered with three local pastors to provide complete Thanksgiving smoked-turkey dinners with all the ‘fixins’ to families in need in our community. The motorcycle riding group raises money all year long for charitable organizations and recipients in need, such as cancer patients and other worthy causes. Pictured left to right are Pastor J.D. Mitchell of Mount Vernon, Pastor Reece Mincey of Cedar Crossing, club founding members ‘Shanghai’ and ‘Big Show,’ Pastor Adrian Bell of Uvalda, club member “Migo’ and club President ‘Cuz.’ The group said the effort was a way to give to our community by sharing compassion and a warm holiday meal with neighbors. If you would like to donate to the club’s efforts, email them at cuz.sonsofsmoke@gmail. com.
