Three kids, three top scouting awards

Journal-News article

Posted: 2:00 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 2014 Three kids, three top scouting awards By Rick McCrabb Staff Writer BUTLER COUNTY — The Hartman family beat the odds on its way to becoming scouting royalty. Their chances of sweeping the top awards in scouting were so slim, Vegas casinos probably wouldn’t have accepted wagers. Only 3 percent to 5 percent of children who enter scouting eventually earn their Gold Award or Eagle Scout, the highest awards in Girl and Boy Scouts, respectively. Consider that nine years ago, Megan Scott, 26, earned her Gold Award, a lifetime goal that started when she was a first-grader at Creekview Elementary School. Then, just three years later, Amanda Scott, 23, the middle child, followed her sister’s suit when she was named a Gold Award winner. Two daughters. Two Gold Award winners. And then there was just one: a baby brother named Milam Hartman. “He wanted to do the camping thing, everything to do with scouting,” said Ruthanne Hartman, his mother. “He bought into the idea of the community service and all of that.” Milam said after his sisters earned their Gold Awards, he thought: “Hey maybe I can achieve the same honor.” When asked about his sisters’ influences, he said: “They were a drive for me.” Milam, a 2014 Middletown High School graduate, was active in Boy Scouts, and in extra-curricular activities at school. His mother got divorced between his eighth grade and freshman year, and she said that added to the family’s financial struggles. She started working two jobs because she didn’t want her son to quit playing sports, or singing in the show choir, or marching in the band. She figured he’d drop scouting. That nearly happened when Milam transferred to a troop in West Chester Twp., and it became more difficult for him to attend meetings because of the longer drive and his school responsibilities. Then one day, when he realized if he wanted to became an Eagle Scout — thus complete the family’s Triple Crown — the deadline was fast approaching. He talked to troop leaders in Middletown, and he transferred there. He was told earning his Eagle was still a possibility. “I wanted to get this finished; get this done,” the 18-year-old said. “I hit the ground running.” His mother said: “He stuck with it.” For his Eagle project, Milam planned and built flower beds, benches and a paved grilling area for residents at the Sycamore Rehabilitation Center in Miamisburg where his oldest sister works. Now Ruthanne Hartman can sit back and say she’s mother of three who earned the highest honors. “I am so proud I can’t stand it,” she said. “It’s a wonderful accomplishment to follow through. This is the best thing to ever happen to these three kids.” And probably their mother too. “She’s been there for all of it,” said Milam, a freshman at Sinclair Community College studying computer aided manufacturing. “I can’t thank her enough. She has been there for each and every one of us. I love her to death.”

Mr. Hartman finished up his time in Boy Scouts and his Eagle award with Troop 18, chartered by First Baptist Church here in Middletown. He is an exceptional young man and his time with us was one of both hard work and fun!