Cape Eagle Scout earns national award

Reed Dickson of Cape Girardeau is one of only 86 Boy Scouts nationwide to be awarded the National Certificate of Merit.

The award was given "in recognition of performance of a significant act of service," said Jim Caldwell, Scoutmaster of Troop 222.

Caldwell explained the reason for the award in an email to the Southeast Missourian:

In October 2012, Dickson was visiting an elderly neighbor, Cleo Pfautsh, after school. The afternoon sunlight was shining in their eyes, and Pfautsh rose to close the window blinds. As she did, she fell after her leg caught on a chair; she hit a wall and then the floor.

She was concerned she may have broken a bone, and Reed brought some pillows to her to try to make her more comfortable. He then grabbed a phone book to call her son Brian, who lived nearby.

Reed Dickson

Quoting the son, Caldwell wrote, "Brian said, 'It is unusual for teenagers in today's society to want to spend time with their elderly neighbors. When I received the call from Reed, he was very calm and ... it was obvious that he had the emergency under control, taking everything into consideration. If Reed had not been there visiting, the outcome would have been much more serious. I am proud to know Reed. He is a fine young man.'"

Though she survived the fall, Pfautsh died peacefully Feb. 20, 2013, at 84.

Dickson's former school, Alma Schrader Elementary in Cape Girardeau, is the beneficiary of his Eagle Scout project; it took more than 100 hours to produce a map of the United States and games on the school's playground.

While at Alma Schrader, at Cub Scout Pack 20, with pack leader Tony Smee, Dickson completed all 20 activity badges and received the Arrow of Light. He was granted and Eagle Scout Award in 2013 as a member of Troop 4222, which is sponsored by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The son of Kevin and Brynda Dickson, Reed will be a junior this fall at Cape Girardeau Central High School, where he is ranked in the top 5 of his class. He's also a varsity swimmer and tennis player and participates in symphonic band, Future Business Leaders of America and a number of other activities.