The Boy Scouts of America’s Grand Canyon Council, a nonprofit chartered by the Boy Scouts of America in Arizona, honored six Scouts who have made a distinctive impact in the community as the 2024 Scouts of the Year.

The selected honorees will be awarded the distinction of 2024 Scout of the Year at a public event this summer. The awarded youth, Ella Miller, Gideon Akaelue, Mayzie Richins, Morgan Willis, Ryan Martin, and Vaughn Grosse will represent the Grand Canyon Council throughout the year at council events, media opportunities and executive board meetings.

“This is the Grand Canyon Council’s second year of offering the Scouts of the Year awards,” Andy Price, the Grand Canyon Council’s CEO and scout executive, shared in a press release. “We are extremely impressed with the six outstanding youth that were nominated by their peers and the Scouting community. We look forward to having them represent our Council and help promote the endless benefits Scouting provides to our community.”

Akaelue is a devoted Scout from Troop 653 in Mesa, where he serves as senior patrol leader. Gideon led his troop at Camp Geronimo and demonstrated exceptional leadership by paying particular attention to helping new Scouts keep their tents tidy and the campsite clean. He is also a Life Scout and Order of the Arrow member.

Richins currently serves as Troop 3050’s junior assistant scoutmaster in Mesa, where she coaches and teaches other girls in Scouting. As a Life Scout, she is hard at work on her final remaining Eagle Scout requirements.

While remaining active in #3050, she joined Venturing Crew #2222 in the spring of 2022 and serves as the crew president.