I’d now like to ask the first of our youth recipients to step forward, Seth law.
Seth actually joined us several years ago but stayed in the shadow of his older brother. When Justin graduated, Seth became more involved in our crew and has served twice as a vice president, the first time as vice president of program, the second and currently as vice president of administration. He’s also an eagle scout and has served in a variety of leadership roles in his troop.
One of the things his current job calls for is to stand in if the president of our crew is absent. He’s done that extremely well. In fact, there is no comfort for an adult leader like that of having an eagle scout in charge. Seth has been one of the few people i could always turn to who knew knots when we needed one. Although the lashing he did on a busted dining fly pole left something to be desired.
With his size he doesn’t get many who disobey him. But he also is liked and respected. One of the things i like most about Seth is counter to his size. It is his sensitivity. He cares a lot about what people think about him. One of the hardest things for youth to experience in leadership is running for office. And when you run and and someone else wins, the human side of you feels some rejection. So it was not easy for him last year when he ran for re-election and didn’t win. But he came back and won in his current post and I’m glad he did.
At times Seth’s experience with us has been bittersweet. He went skiing with us in January and was picked on by a member of the ski patrol. I wrote about that in our trip summary and one of our group’s female members was worried how he would take it because she knew he hadn’t done anything to deserve the lecturing he received.
When it came time to pick out a name for him, it would be tempting to choose an eagle name, for that is a high honor and he certainly acts every bit an eagle. He demonstrates the scout law and oath and has as long as i have known him. He is obedient, dedicated to the crew and a true leader.
But i awarded an eagle name to his brother and these are two very different young men. So i looked elsewhere for a name. And one Kiowa phrase kept coming back to me. Among native Americans, as I’ve said, the land and all living things are connected and revered, plants, animals and trees. Trees were not just something that filled a forest for Indians. They provided shade, fuel, lumber for cabins and canoes, material for bows, spears and arrows, nourishment from nuts , medicine and tea from bark, and protection. A tree to an Indian was a wonderful resource, something to be admired as much for its strength and protection as it was for its many uses to the group.
So it is my honor, Seth, to award you the Kiowa name Adoeette, which means great tree. Congratulations!