Superintendent Ronald Epps Receives National Service Award From Indian Waters Boy Scouts Council

Dr. Ronald L. Epps, superintendent of Richland School District One, was one of three recipients of the national Whitney M. Young, Jr. Service Award presented by the Indian Waters Council of the Boy Scouts of America at its seventh annual fundraiser dinner on Oct. 20.

Named in honor of Whitney M. Young, former executive director of the National Urban League who was committed to helping inner city youth and those less fortunate, this award is the most prestigious honor bestowed by the Boy Scouts organization.

Dr. Epps was honored for his encouraging schools to provide access to ensure the success of Scouting events. Because of his personal involvement, Richland One has achieved several consecutive years of record-high recruitment enrollment, and many principals now view Scouting as a tool to assist in youth development.

Presented by the Scout Reach Program of local Boys Scouts of America, the Whitney M. Young Service Award recognizes local individuals who have given outstanding service to disadvantaged youth and salutes individuals who work behind the scene to keep Boy Scouts going, and who might not otherwise receive recognition for their exceptional service to America's youth.

Scout Reach serves at-risk youth through traditional Scouting programs. It was introduced as a way to reach more Hispanic, Asian and African American children. Collaboration with inner-city schools, churches and neighborhood-based organizations has been instrumental in strengthening and forming new Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout troops in some hard-to-serve communities.