Ceremony to honor Eagle Scouts on Saturday

More than 70 boys from Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois earned the coveted Eagle Scout honor in 2009. Those 79 young men will be recognized Saturday at the annual Court of Honor ceremony at Southeast Missouri State University.

The event begins at noon with a luncheon for the boys and their families, with the official ceremony following at 2 p.m. at Academic Hall auditorium. It is open to the public.

State Sen. Rob Mayer (R-Dexter) is this year's class sponsor and will be the keynote speaker. Scout district executive Bill Crowell said these boys show their future employers that they are dedicated, hard-working leaders in society.

Crowell said of the 22 troops in the Shawnee District, Jackson's Troop 311 garnered the most Eagle Scouts last year with 10 boys.