Page 24 December 2014 By Leona Meditz While comic strip superheroes and their sidekicks fight dastardly villains intent on controlling the world and inflicting misery on mankind, it takes a village of real life heroes to make a difference in today’s world. And someone has to lead the village. The true-life story of how Arcadia teen Branch Williamson transformed into an Eagle, helping Batman bring joy to sick children, inspires more than any comic fantasy. The stage was set over 100 years ago in 1909, when American newspaper man W.D. Boyce – who was lost in London – was directed to his destination by an unknown Boy Scout who refused a tip due to his “duty” as a Scout. From the beginning, Boy Scouts of America was a collaborative effort. Impressed by the incident, Boyce incorporated the BSA on February 8, 1910 with Edward S. Stewart and Stanley D. Willis. Senior YMCA administrator, Edgar M. Robinson led the Boy Scouts as a national organization. Today over 2.6 million boys are led by over 1 million adult volunteers. Collaborative teams – core to Eagle Scout training – are promoted, denoting higher levels of proven leadership. Additionally, Eagle Scouts entering the U.S. armed forces start at Private First Class (E3 rank), shaving the typical one-year promotion time. Branch Williamson began his journey to Eagle rank as a Cub Scout in September 2005 at Pack 107 All Saints’ Episcopal Day School. In September 2014 he became Senior Patrol Leader in charge of 68 boys in Troop 401 at Church of the Beatitudes. While leading boys, he learned that being open to new ideas required creativity and being comfortable with making mistakes. Ready to fly from the Boy Scout nest, Williamson began making plans to attain Eagle Scout rank. One of the Scouts in Williamson’s troop is the son of a modern day Bruce Wayne, Charles Keller. Keller rides terminally ill children in his Batmobile. When one child asked to see the Batcave, Keller transformed an ugly industrial bay storage unit into a 1966 Batcave replica worthy of the Batman legacy – except for one blank white wall. Williamson, seeking to spread his Eagle wings, offered to create a mural Williamson enlisted architect Catherine Gates to design mural renderings. Three or four engineers planned mural execution. Meanwhile, Williamson organized his den to pressure wash, prime and paint the detailed mural. Participating Scouts earned service hours, helping them climb up their own Scouting tree. The project itself took four months from concept through completion and involved 86 volunteers devoting 326 hours of their time. “One smile from an ill child makes all the preparation, planning and painting worthwhile,” states Williamson. The Batman and Eagle legacy is perpetuated as the Grand Canyon Council Board of Review awarded Williamson Eagle Scout status on September 11, 2014. Williamson’s next flight is earning his medical degree to serve our armed forces. Branch Williamson earned his Eagle Scout by painting a comic book mural for kids. Joining Batman to ease ills COFFEE & COCOA OPEN HOUSE DISCOVER OUR PRE-K, KINDERGARTEN & FIRST GRADE PROGRAMS Wednesday, January 28 • 9:00-11:00am • Meet the Faculty • Ask Questions • Make New Friends • Learn About Our Academic, Spiritual, and Differentiated Learning Curriculum • See how faith and service inspires community responsibility and leadership • Experience the multidisciplinary education students receive to meet the expectations of the 21st century Parents and Children are Invited to: A premier school in the valley since 1953, STA is dedicated to the academic success of all students. Call to reserve your space at the Open House or to schedule a tour. We look forward to meeting you! 602.954.9088 • www.staphx.org • 4510 N 24th Street, Phoenix 85016

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