(This headline for this story in Tuesday’s print edition incorrectly stated the day of the Eagle Scout Court of Honor. It will be held Saturday. The Panolian regrets the error.)

By John Howell Sr.

Two Batesville Boy Scouts will be promoted to the rank of Eagle Scout Saturday, September 17, at the First Concord Baptist Church.

Ervin Faulkner III and Javaris Snow, both 16 and members of Batesville Troop 478, are among the one to two percent of young men who join Boy Scouts, then work to achieve scouting’s highest rank, Scout leader Jim Whitten said.

Faulkner’s Boy Scout career has included summer camps at Camp Courier near Hernando, Camp Yacona near Pontotoc and Camp Kia Kima in Hardy, Arkansas. He also attended Delta Merit Badge College at Delta State University where he earned merit badges and completed other requirements to advance to Eagle Scout.

Snow also attended summer camps and the merit college at Delta State University while earning Eagle Scout rank. He served as assistant patrol leader and troop guide in Troop 478.

Both Scouts earned the Arrow of Light award. They are also members of the Order of the Arrow, Scouting’s National Honor Society whose mission includes emphasize on positive youth leadership.

Snow’s Eagle Scout project included construction of picnic tables for an outside area at South Panola High School.

“One of the teachers mentioned it to him,” said Whitten. Snow said that using carpentry skills he learned from his uncle, Darrell Smith, he built the tables “near the library where the teachers can take the students outside,” he said.

Faulkner coordinated a Secret Santa Toy Drive for his Eagle project. He worked alongside a representative of the Department of Human Services to expand the number of donation drop-off locations at churches and business for donors as well as to encourage toy collections by troop members. “It all added up pretty well,” Whitten said.

Faulkner is also a musician, a member of the South Panola High School Band, having played percussion since the sixth grade. He is a member of Spring Hill Asa Church, its male choir and has been involved in church activities where he has played the guitar and piano. He is the son of Mary and Ervin Faulkner Jr. He plans to attend Ole Miss after graduation and hopes ultimately to become a medical doctor.

Snow is a member of First Concord Baptist Church where he serves as an usher. He is the son of Florene Smith. He plans to attend Northwest Mississippi Community College after graduation and then Ole Miss or Mississippi State to become a teacher.

All friends and family are invited to the Court of Honor which will begin at 2 p.m. at the church at 10204 Curtis Road.