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Milestones

By Times Staff Writer
Published February 13, 2005

Kristopher Mackey honored as Eagle Scout

Kristopher Ryan Mackey of Boy Scout Troop 12 of Lutz was honored as an Eagle Scout in a ceremony Jan. 29 at the Lutz Community School. Through his 10-year journey as a Scout, he has earned 355 badges.

His Eagle project was a 110-foot landscaping and butterfly garden, including 10 trees, at Lutz Nature Park. Other highlights of his Scouting experiences include a 150-mile bike trip, 50 miles in one day and a 50-mile hiking trip on the Appalachian Trail. Mackey, a junior at Sickles High School, also attended a Space Camp at Kennedy Space Center, a two-week survival Ranger Camp in Georgia and became a certified scuba diver.

His mother, Kristi Mackey, did the official Eagle pinning and his grandfather, Dick Buckingham, presented him with the Eagle certificate. His grandmother, Auralee Buckingham, also attended.

David Everett Webster of Boy Scout Troop 12 of Lutz achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. The Eagle Court of Honor ceremony was held at 4 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Lutz Community Center. His Eagle award was presented by Steve Rivera, scoutmaster of Troop 12.

His Eagle project was converting a weed-covered courtyard area at Dickenson Elementary School into a bird sanctuary. The partially diseased area was cleared of weeds, the one existing tree and shrubs were trimmed and new plants were set out. The project encourages wildlife to frequent the area and enables students to observe.

Several Scouts and their families from Troop 12 assisted on the actual day of the project, which required 80 man hours. Webster spent more than 130 hours on the project that included research to determine the best plants for food, shelter and attractiveness. His sponsor was the Dickenson Elementary Parent Teacher Association.

Webster, who started Scouting in the first grade in the Tiger Cubs, is a senior at Gaither High School and member of the Beta Club, the National Honor Society. He is an avid soccer player and currently plays in a U-19 league at Central Pasco United Soccer Association.

He is the son of David and Sandra Webster of Lutz. Guests at the ceremony included his uncle and aunt John and Emily Gronauer.

Sasha Marie Moreno of Temple Terrace and Janie Page Wilton of Carrollwood have been selected to participate in the Nationals' 2005 Miss Teen Tampa/St. Petersburg pageant competition. The event will take place at 4 p.m. Feb. 20 at the A La Carte Pavilion.

Competition includes judging by a panel on interviewing skills, modeling routines in casual and formal wear and personality, the No. 1 aspect of all phases of competition.

The winner will represent Tampa/St. Petersburg and the surrounding communities and receives an all-expense paid trip to Orlando for the Cities of America National Competition. The winner of the title will receive more than $20,000 in scholarships, prizes and specialty gifts.

Moreno is a junior at King High School and member of the Thespians Club and Student Government. She is the daughter of Millie Ruiz..

Wilton is a senior at Gaither High School. She is the daughter of Richard and Cathy Wilton and granddaughter of Richard and Pat Page.

[Last modified February 12, 2005, 09:06:05]