Jackson Boy Scout honored for American Indian dance

Joshua Davis of Jackson is the first Boy Scout from Southeast Missouri to place in the top 10 in the nation in the southern straight dance category at a National Order of the Arrow Conference held in East Lansing, Mich.

The Order of the Arrow is an organization within the Boy Scouts that recognizes outstanding campers and is based on service to others.

Held every two years, the conference provides an opportunity for more than 8,000 attendees worldwide to demonstrate their abilities in the area of American Indian dance and crafts.

It is not the first time Davis, now 20, has been recognized for his proficiency in American Indian dance.

At a 2004 conference he made the top 20 in the nation, both in southern straight and northern traditional dance and also placed third in the craft competition.

Davis has been dancing since he was 10 years old and has attended and danced in many powwows locally and nationwide, placing in the top three in several.

Davis plans on attending the University of Oklahoma with a major in anthropology upon completion of his associates' degree at Mineral Area College.

He is a member of LaCroix United Methodist Church and works at Aldis as a cashier.