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GREG TRAVIS / Ledger & Times
Nathan Watson, a senior at Murray High School, displays a box of Boy Scout popcorn with his picture on the cover. The popcorn is distributed across the nation. |
Scout pictured on popcorn box
By GREG TRAVIS
Staff Writer
The picture of a local Boy Scout, Nathan Watson of Murray, has been featured on a box of popcorn which is sold by Scouts across the country. Watson, from Scout Troop 45 in Murray, was chosen for the honor, after attending the 21st World Scouting Jamboree last year in England and subsequently a trip to Brownsea Island, England.
Watson, 17, was one of two Scouts from each country who was selected to participate in ceremonies commemorating the first Scout encampment on the island 100 years ago, according to Jeff Rock, Scout executive with the Shawnee Trails Council.
Watson said having his picture selected for the popcorn box was a “total surprise,” adding that he was “completely honored to be featured as a Scout who was picked” for the cover.
“This was definitely a great surprise. I had no clue about being on the Kettle Corn popcorn box. There was a professional photographer at the World Jamboree taking pictures of the Scouts and the many activities. The pictures on the box are from that trip.”
In addition to a portrait setting, Watson is also featured in scenes with Scouts from Thailand, Iceland and Italy while they participated in events and celebrations at the Jamboree.
“I am completely blessed to have this attention and to be featured,” he commented. Watson has also been interviewed for “Boys Life,” the Scouting magazine and other independent publications.
He said it was a friend who called him and told him that his picture was on the popcorn box.
Watson, who is an Eagle Scout, has been involved in the local Scouting program for 12 years. He earned his Eagle Scout ranking in 2006 when he was 15 years of age. A senior at Murray High School, he said he plans to apply to several colleges and pursue a career in the field of science and engineering.
Watson said responses from family and friends to his picture on the box have included “happiness and shock.” He also said his mother “has ordered several boxes of the popcorn.”
Waston currently serves as a Junior Assistant Scout Master, and he plans to make Scouting a part of his life. “I love Scouting, and I hope to be a Scoutmaster one day. I would like to stay with Troop 45.” His father, Scott Watson, is presently the Scoutmaster of that troop.
“Nathan is extremely active and involved in Scouting. He's great - a model Scout - and a great representative for Scouting. I'm sure those factors were instrumental in his being chosen to have his picture on one of the boxes,” Rock said.
Rock noted that Scouts attending major events sign release forms that allow their pictures to be used for Scouting purposes.
“Because of his experience with the World Jamboree, Nathan will also be appearing in a national recruiting video, and he has been selected to attend a Japanese Scouting Exchange Program for two weeks during the summer of 2009,” Rock added. However, Watson said other commitments will prevent him from making that trip.
Watson's picture was chosen for the box of popcorn after he was selected from several Scouts attending the World Jamboree.
According to Vince Saia, a sales manager with Trails End popcorn, the national offices of the Boy Scouts offers the opportunities for the communities to see what the youth are doing.
“Approximately 1 million popcorn boxes of each flavor with the Scouts pictures are printed per year. They go to consumers across the nation,” he said. “The Scouts are chosen for their efforts that are over-and-above. It's usually something unique - something that sets them apart.”
Saia said he wasn't aware of any other Scouts from the immediate area who have been featured on the popcorn boxes, which are now in their 28th year.
“The Trails End popcorn fund raiser is something that is exclusive to Scouting. We've created a great partnership with the Scouts. Our product is one of the Scouts' main fund raisers,” he added.
Story created Nov 25, 2008 - 12:13:34 EST.
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