Updated:
March 6, 2002
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The 2002 Ranger of the Year competition was held on March 1-2, 2002 at Ranger Trails Camp. The annual competition took on a slight change in format this year with the idea of creating a competitive atmosphere while providing fun and a memorable experience. Tyler Todd of outpost 2 in Section 7 was the Pioneer winner; Colby Pepper of outpost 68, Section 12 was the Trailblazer winner and Justinn Smathers, outpost 64, Section 12 was the Challengers winner. Six sections were Friday evening the boys were treated to a night out on the town. This year they went to Planet Rock, an indoor arcade and skating rink located in Pearl, just off I-20 next to Cracker Barrel. Everyone met at Planet Rock by 8:30 P.M. for a time of fun and fellowship. Later the boys headed for Ranger Trails Camp where they enjoyed a good night's rest in the cabins. "This year's competition was designed to add a little more excitement to the testing," says District Commander, Wesley Harmon. "We added several areas to make it more competitive including games that tested the boys ability to think quick as well as know their stuff. Each year the boys are getting sharper and sharper. The competition is very close. I congratulate all the boys who participated. They were awesome!" The boys were treated to a hearty breakfast before beginning the day's activities. Commander Wesley presented a devotion with the theme of what it takes to have a winning attitude spiritually speaking. To begin the competition, the boys were divided into their age groups for the skills testing. The Pioneers went to the ropecraft, the Trialblazers went to the firecraft while the Challengers went to the compass/map. Wesley explains how this presented a challenge for the staff. "We quickly realized the testing was going to go way over schedule so we had to make a few changes. We decided to intermingle the written test and oral interviews with the skills testing. Each of the skills test took a different amount of time, largely because of the uneven numbers in each of the age groups. This helped speed things up but we still went about an hour and a half over the scheduled time. But, all in all, I think it went smoothly and the boys seemed to adapt well." Aside from the normal written test, oral interviews, and skills test, there was also a quiz game this year. This was not only a test of the boys knowledge, but also his ability to think quick. The questions were called out in game show fashion. The boy would used a buzzer to let the tester know who was first to respond. The boy with the correct answer was awarded points. The District Trailblazer and Challenger winners, Colby and Justinn, will represent the state at the Regional Ranger of the Year competition. This is scheduled for May 3-4, 2002 at Raleigh Assembly of God in Memphis, TN. The Challenger has the opportunity to be a National Ranger of the Year representing the Gulf Region. We had a lot of commanders who came to help out this year. Thanks to these men for their support to the boys! Click here for more on the Ranger of the Year program
Bill Bates Section 4 Outpost 4 - 1st A/G, Columbus
Tremel Moore Section 5 Outpost 77 - Family Life A/G, Ruleville
Lamarcus Wade Section 5 Outpost 77 - Family Life A/G, Ruleville
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represented this year with boys from each of the age groups. Each participant received a silver medallion with the winners receiving a Gold medal medallion.