Freshly-minted Kilgore High School alum and veteran Boy Scout Alex “Boots” Mathis followed Friday night’s commencement exercises with a Saturday Court of Honor in downtown Kilgore.
Mathis actually attained the rank of Eagle Scout in December 2024. The highest rank in the Boy Scouts of America recognizes a youth’s perseverance, dedication and service, and caps a 12-year journey for Mathis. Since the organization’s inception in 1911, just four percent of Scouts have earned the rank.
Parents, relatives, friends, fellow Scouts, mentors and well-wishers feted the 18-year-old in the Family Center of St. Luke’s Methodist Church May 24, with Boy Scout 252 Troop Leader Mitchell Hancock leading the teen through the ceremony of the Court of Honor.
“Let the white of the Eagle badge remind you to always live with honor,” Hancock said. “Let the blue of the Eagle badge always inspire you to be loyal. Let the red of the Eagle badge remind you to always be courageous. Let the scroll of the Eagle badge remind you to be of service. Let the silver of the Eagle hanging from the badge remind you of your future vision.”
Mathis first signed up as a Cub Scout in 2013, advancing through Wolf, Bear and Webelo levels before becoming a Boy Scout in 2018. He progressed steadily through the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First, Star, Life and, ultimately, his sash already heavy with numerous badges, completed the myriad requirements of the Eagle rank.
Kilgore Mayor Ronnie Spradlin attended Saturday’s event in Mathis’ honor, reading a proclamation celebrating the KHS grad’s exceptional leadership, service and dedication.
“He served his troop in multiple leadership roles,” Spradlin noted, “including Patrol Leader, Scribe, and OA Representative, and was known for his readiness to help others — especially his younger brother Gabriel — while embodying the spirit of Scouting.
“Alex was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, participated in the rigorous Philmont Scout Ranch trek and earned the enduring nickname ‘Boots’ after a memorable campfire mishap and a stubborn pair of borrowed boots.”
For his requisite Eagle Scout project, meant to benefit the community in a lasting and meaningful way, Mathis constructed two American flag retirement boxes, one at Kilgore Police Department and one at Troop 252’s Scout Hut, “providing a lasting service in honor of flag etiquette and civic duty.”
According to Hancock, the founder of the Boy Scouts Association, Sir Robert Baden-Powell, was asked his purpose in forming the scouting organization.
“To counteract, if possible, both the moral and physical deterioration of our rising generation,” Hancock quoted, “and to train boys to be more efficient and citizens of character.”
A key moment in an Eagle Scout’s journey is recitation of the Affirmation Charge.
“I reaffirm my allegiance to the three promises of the Scout Oath. I thoughtfully recognize and take upon myself the obligations and responsibilities of an Eagle Scout,” Mathis vowed: “I will do my best to make my training an example, my rank and influence count strongly for better scouting and for better citizenship in my troop, in my community and in my contacts with other people.
“To this I pledge my sacred honor.”
