Dixon achieves goal of being Eagle Scout

Flomaton High School senior Donte Dixon is now the first African-American in Flomaton Boy Scout Troop 31 to earn Eagle Scout status. Dixon's Eagle Scout ceremony was held Saturday, March 16, 2019, at Next Level of Faith Ministries Church in Flomaton.

"It started bringing tears to my eyes, it was a real proud moment," said Dixon. "I could see in Mrs. Jaye Jayes face, and my mom's, how proud they were, they all teared up. I was happy with an accomplishment like that."

Dixon said he has always been the only African-American in the troop and that the other scouts accepted him as one of the gang.

"We just hung out," he said.

Dixon's family moved to Flomaton from Pensacola in 2008 and Dixon soon joined Troop 31 as a Cub Scout. Jaye Jaye Hagan was his cub scout leader then and in 2012, he became a Boy Scout and came under the leadership of Assistant Scout Master Greg Hagan.

Dixon said that both Greg and Jaye Jaye Hagan have influenced his life and pushed him, encouraging him to apply himself and meet challenges head on.

"They always talked about how few scouts make it to Eagle Scout," said Dixon. "Going through some of the council stuff and events, there was always something about the Eagle Scouts, they were different. They stand high as a Boy Scout. I wanted to be one of those," he said.

Dixon said his parents and especially Greg kept pushing him as a Boy Scout.

"Of course, you get into high school and guys talk about it, say it's lame, ask you why you're doing it," said Dixon. "I missed one summer camp because I was convinced they were right somehow."

Dixon said he regretted missing that summer terribly.

"I didn't let it bother me after that summer, and I got back on course," he said.

He said it really took hold after he missed that summer camp.

"Everybody came back after camp were talking about it," said Dixon. "And my friend, Gage Hagan, got his Eagle Scout. I got to take part in Gage's sceremony, and I knew I wanted to be like him, one of the top. I wanted to work and work and work after it, so I pretty much worked and went after it."

When a Boy Scout reaches the point of Eagle Scout, he has to successfully complete a project of his choice which will benefit the community.

Dixon said he went to church one Sunday and spoke to his pastor, who indicated he would like the church to have somewhere nice to eat outside and suggested picnic tables.

"We planned to build four tables, but we wound up finishing two," said Dixon. "I had no idea the materials would cost so much."

Dixon's uncle, Murphy Dixon, who worked at Bondurant's, approached the business about discounting the wood and donated tools. Bondurants paid for half the wood and Dixon's parents paid for the other half.

"With help from my uncle and others, it took us about three or four hours to build the two tables," said Dixon.

Besides his uncle, help came from fellow scouts Chandler Hagan, Mac Henley, Gage Hagan and Greg Hagan.

"We built them at my house and the pastor had already told me where he wanted them," said Dixon. "We loaded them on the back of my dad's truck and took them to the church."

Dixon said earning all the badges required to get to the Eagle Scout project took years, but the picnic tables were tough because of the time he spent lining up materials, help and final execution.

Dixon plans to join the military after he graduates in May, but he will continue to participate in Boy Scouts.

"Right now, since I'm 18, I'm a youth leader in my troop," said Dixon. "There's another branch of Boy Scouts called Order of the Arrow. I plan on joining the U.S. Army after I graduate, and my recruiter said the Eagle Scout badge puts me up a few ranks."

Dixon said he will enlist as an E3, private first class, instead of an E-1, which makes him even more proud of his Eagle Scout status.

"I plan on continuing to help the younger scouts," said Dixon. "I will be proud to lead them along the way."