North Shore's 2008 District Award of Merit Recipients

John W. Moore has been a staunch supporter of the Cub Scout program for several years. Like most of us, he got involved as his oldest son joined a Cub pack. He signed up to help within the pack. Believing that he needed appropriate training, he sought it, and then became a trainer of others.

Mostly working behind the scenes, he has always been there to assist new Cub Scout leaders, and to do what he can to improve the program for our youth. He has served as a den leader, committee member, and as trainer for all aspects of the Cub program, including serving on the staff of both district and council major events such as Pow Wow. John has been a strong worker in the Friends of Scouting campaign. Many know him through his role on Cub Scout Roundtable staff for both Arrowhead and North Shore districts. He has completed Wood Badge training, and also serves on the council Hornaday Committee.

As one of the first to step up as we began forming North Shore District in mid- 2007, John was an active participant in delivering "roadshow" presentation to out units, which helped us build a sense of identity as a district and gain feedback on unit needs. In 2008, John helped with a follow-on roadshow effort centered around Friends of Scouting.

Passion for and dedication to the program are descriptors which come to mind when we think of John. For his continued service to Scouting over an extended period at the unit level, as a commissioner, and in playing a key role in the successful birth of North Shore District, John W. Moore is presented the District Award of Merit.

Kedric Karkosh is an Eagle Scout who is totally dedicated to giving back more to Scouting than he received as a youth. He became involved and continued to serve as his boys moved through the Scouting program.

Most recently, he has focused primarily on Boy Scouting, where he has been an effective past Scoutmaster of Troop 158, unit committee member, and a unit commissioner. He also serves as Advisor to Venture Crew 158. Also, as the Eagle Scout Coordinator for Troop 158, he not only provides guidance for the boys, but also ensures appropriate Eagle Courts of Honor for them. As a believer in program, he has spearheaded high-adventure activities at Philmont and Northern Tier. He has attended the National Jamboree.

Kedric is perhaps the "most trained" Scouter in North Shore District, having attended and/or served on the training staff for a high percentage of courses available. He is an LNT trainer, and served as a troop guide on Wood Badge SR 904 in 2008.

As Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner for North Shore District, Kedric has established a foundation of a solid monthly program for our Boy Scout leaders, and Roundtable continues to grow as we enter 2009.

"Leadership by example" is perhaps the best description of Kedric's service to Scouting.  For his long and noteworthy service to so many aspects of the Scouting program, and his role in making North Shore District's first year a success, we present the District Award of Merit to Kedric Karkosh.

Inspired by his father, a dedicated Scouter, John Devenport became an Eagle Scout and became a Scouter himself. As a boy, he saw the impact of adult support through his father's role as a District Chairman and District Commissioner. He also attended the National Jamboree while a Scout.

For John, this laid a foundation upon which he would later build his own path as a Scout leader. When his son became a Cub Scout, he joined the pack committee, eventually becoming Committee Chair of Pack 158. While involved with Cub Scouts, he also took on training roles, helping other leaders learn the ropes of the program. John has also served on the Cub Scout Roundtable staff for Arrowhead District, as well as a trainer for council events such as Pow Wow.

With his son having recently crossed over into Boy Scouting, John serves Troop 172 as an Assistant Scoutmaster. At the same time, he serves as North Shore's District Chairman, a role which makes him the "face" of the District, providing the glue which holds us together.

John is a founding member of North Shore District, who joined the team in mid-2007 and helped drive our formational planning. He has worked tirelessly to improve all aspects of our program. He assisted with efforts to make the Leander School District accessible for our membership recruiting efforts. As the third leg of what may be arguably the strongest Key 3 in the council, John is a valued member of the North Shore team.

For his role in helping found North Shore, as a dedicated unit leader, trainer, and his service as our District Chairman in the district's first year, we present the District Award of Merit to John Devenport.