By Samantha Sinclair
Cherokee Scout
Andrews – Robbinsville took home the Big Boot trophy for Troop of the Year once again, but this year it was the all-girls troop earning the honor at the Boy Scouts of America Nantahala District Awards Banquet, which was held Saturday at the Andrews United Methodist Church.
Scoutmaster Jill Raymer squealed as Troop 4405 was announced.
“It’s a real nice validation of all the hard work,” she said.
Raymer explained the five girls have been working very hard on their requirements since they became a troop in June and have gone camping every month.
Willow Trantham, the troop’s senior patrol leader, accepted the award on behalf of the troop. As she proudly held the trophy above her head, she thought of her brother, Gentry.
His troop, the all-boys Troop 405, won the Big Boot trophy three years in a row.
“I’ve always wanted to be in Scouts since he joined it,” Willow said.
Willow hopes to be one of the first female Eagle Scouts and is well on her way there at First Class rank. Boy Scouts of America opened the Scouts BSA program – formerly known as Boy Scouts – to girls 11-17 on Feb. 1, 2019, providing girls the opportunity to earn the organization’s highest rank.
Troop 4405 earned other honors during the evening. Raymer was named Scoutmaster of the Year and Assistant Scoutmaster Lisa Trantham was given the Scout Spirit Award.
Snowbird Youth Center was named the charter organization of the year. The center sponsors all three Boy Scouts units in Graham County - the two troops and Cub Scouts Pack 405.
The Nantahala District consists of nine units in Graham, Cherokee and Clay counties, and is part of the Daniel Boone Council, which serves the 14 westernmost counties in the state. Council representatives were proud to honor local leaders and units at the banquet.
“We are a strong council because we have strong volunteers and strong youth,” said Robert Garrett, assistant scout executive.