CLARKSVILLE, TN – Eagle Scout Emily Williams from Clarksville’s Scout BSA Troop 21 received Scouting’s highest award, Eagle Scout. The ceremony was held Saturday May 12, at Brewer’s Chapel Church and was celebrated by local dignitaries, her Scouting units, and the Thomasville community.

One of the first females to join when the BSA opened to females, she earned her Arrow of Light, and then helped found Scouts BSA Troop 21. She then served in numerous leadership roles including Senior Patrol Leader. As the Troop bugler she honors veterans by playing Memorial Day Taps at local cemeteries.

Throughout the years she has gone caving, rappelling, camping, hiking, canoeing, and back packing while still earning 26 merit badges. Emily is a Brotherhood member of the Order of the Arrow, staffed Winter Camp, and attended National Youth Leadership Training. Her unit is charted by the American Legions “CSM Gary Crisp” Post 289 Auxiliary, and she has been nominated for several awards including American Legion Eagle Scout of the Year.

Emily’s Eagle Project surveyed the Brewer’s Chapel Church Cemetery in Thomasville Community. She led a diverse team from APSU GIS, the County Historical Society, Tennessee Historical Commission, church members, and Troop 21. The project mapped 181 internments including 15 previously unknown graves and gave names back to 5 marked but unnamed graves. A digital report of the map, GPS coordinates, images, and head stone transcripts was recorded with the church, county, and Historical Commission. Emily stated, “when you learn the history of a cemetery it is a fascinating drama!”

For her efforts Graham Perry with the Tennessee Historical Commission surprised Emily with a Certificate of Merit, and State Representative Mary Littleton surprised her with a House Resolution.

Emily also said, “when I joined, I did not understand the wide variety of skills that Scouting would introduce me to, rappelling, sailing, or motorizing a boat. I learned to respond in an emergency and lead others. I became confident speaking with others I normally would not see daily. Through learning and living the Scout Oath and Law I learned a personal moral code, and that only I decide who I want to be.”