Eagle Scouts to be recognized during ceremony March 2 at Gallatin LDS

McKay Marble

Two local Boy Scouts, Haven Gibson and McKay Marble of Gallatin, will be recognized for achieving the highest rank in scouting, that of Eagle Scout, in a special ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at the Gallatin Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. A reception follows the ceremony which the public is invited to attend. They are both members of Boy Scout Troop 96, under the leadership of Scoutmaster Jason Lichfield.
Haven Gibson, 15, son of John and Janece Gibson of Gallatin, achieved Eagle Scout on Dec. 15, 2018. At Saturday’s ceremonies, Haven will also receive his bronze, silver, and gold palms. Haven began his scouting adventure in 2011 with Cub Scout Pack 96 where he earned his Arrow of Light. Upon being awarded the Eagle Scout rank, Haven has successfully earned 37 merit badges, and served his troop as senior patrol leader and troop historian. He completed NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training) and will be a troop guide for NYLT this year for the second year in a row. He participated in the 50-miler in the Lake of the Ozarks and many outings.
For his Eagle Scout service project, Haven built five bat houses that hold up to 300 bats each for the Lake of the Ozarks State Park. The park was having problems with disease and needed some new habitats for the bats to raise their young. As part of the process, he had to learn how to build one, gather all the supplies, put a team of volunteers together, teach them how to build the houses, and then deliver all five to the park. Haven is a freshman at Gallatin High School where he is a member of FFA, FBLA, and FCCLA. He is also currently a member of Green Hills Tae Kwon Do where he is a brown belt. After high school, Haven plans on serving a two-year service mission and is unsure of a career at this time.
McKay Russell Marble, 18, son of David and Kristen Marble of Gallatin, achieved Eagle Scout on Dec. 16, 2018. He is a member of Boy Scout Troop 96, under the leadership of Scoutmaster Jason Lichfield.
McKay began his scouting journey in the Texas Lone Star District in 2009 where he earned his World Conservation Award and Arrow of Light Award. After moving to Gallatin in 2013, McKay continued his scouting adventures. He has successfully earned 21 merit badges, served in various positions of leadership including Varsity Captain, and completed NYLT (National Youth Leadership Training). Additionally, McKay has participated in a High Adventure canoeing down the Current River, and participated in many other scout activities and outings.
For his Eagle Scout service project, McKay coordinated with the City of Gallatin to hammer metal plates to utility poles within the city. These plates are numbered and will allow city workers to efficiently track down problems during power outages. As a part of the planning process, McKay had to recruit volunteers, organize work routes throughout the city, collect and divide work materials, and supervise the efforts of youth and adults. With the help of over 35 volunteers, 600 poles were labeled in Gallatin.
“It was a lot of work, but I learned how to be more organized through the process. I am glad we were able to help our community,” says McKay.
McKay is a senior at Gallatin High School. He is a member of the Gallatin Marching Band, FBLA, FFA, Academic Team, and a manager for the football and wrestling teams. After high school, McKay plans on serving a two-year church mission, and then he plans to attend a four-year university where he wants to major in biology.