Dalton's McKay attains rank of Eagle Scout

Cody McKay, the son of Patrick and Colleen McKay of Dalton, was awarded the Boy Scouts of America Eagle Scout rank. Cody is a member of Troop 92 of Gurley-Dalton.

The Eagle Scout rank, the highest rank in Boy Scouting, includes earning a minimum of 21 merit badges, including 13 from a required list. McKay successfully earned 25 merit badges including First Aid, Emergency Preparedness, Welding, Personal Finance and Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the World and Citizenship in the Nation.

He has participated many years as a volunteer forester at the Fort Robinson Tree Plant, the Ed Dulaney Canoe Derby, as well as countless weekend outings and other Scouting activities. He was the only Scout in his troop to attend the Longs Peak Council, Boy Scouts of America, 100th anniversary event from Sept. 24-26, 2010, where there was more than 2,500 scouts and Scout Leaders from throughout the Northern Colorado Front Range, southeast Wyoming and southwest Nebraska areas.

Among the activities he participated in was touring a UH60 Blackhawk Helicopter sponsored by the 2/135 Aviation Battalion of the Colorado National Guard and beating his father on an obstacle course sponsored by Troop 101 from Cheyenne, Wyo.

To complete his Eagle requirements, McKay chose a community service project to color-code fire hydrants in the Village of Dalton. He worked with Dalton Village Maintenance Superintendent Lloyd Searles and Dalton Volunteer Fire Chief, Rollie Parker on the project.

With equipment loaned to him by Nebraska Rural Water Association, McKay tested all fire hydrants for gallons per minute output. Once all hydrants were tested, he worked with other members of Troop 92 to prepare and then paint all hydrants. The Village of Dalton purchased materials needed to complete his project.

The hydrants were painted red, orange or green based on the outflow of the hydrant. Scott Bosse from Acustar Surveying was contacted and Village of Dalton maps were obtained. McKay used these maps to color-coordinate the location of each hydrant throughout the Village.

Once the maps were complete, Eric Reimers from Wheat Belt Public Power District helped him print large maps that were presented to the Village of Dalton and the Dalton Volunteer Fire Department for their use. Smaller maps were also laminated for the fire department to keep in their fire trucks.

McKay is a member of the United Church of the Plains in Dalton and is a senior at Leyton High School, where he will graduate in May. He thrives academically and participates in multiple sports and many other extracurricular activities. He has learned many leadership and time management skills from his experiences in scouting as well as the many community organizations in which he participates.

He aspires to attend the University of Nebraska in the fall pursuing a degree in agriculture engineering.