EAGLE SCOUTS IN ACTION Eagle Scout Class of 1978

When résumés land on Devin Hansen’s desk, the candidates whose achievements include “Eagle Scout” always go to the top of the pile. “For somebody to actually accomplish that is really cool,” said the president and owner of Wichita’s Sunflower Travel. “It takes dedication and time — transitioning through the ranks and learning different skills and ultimately applying yourself to earn that rank. It definitely sticks out on a résumé.”

Hansen himself earned the Boy Scouts of America rank of Eagle at age 14. He was one of the lucky members of famed Hutchinson, Kansas, Troop 301, led by Scoutmaster and Dillons Food Stores exec Paul Dillon. The troop operated like a well-run business, with clear goals and expectations, including that boys had to retire by age 15 — whether they achieved Eagle Scout or not — to make room for others waiting to get into the troop.

“We had a lot of fun; we looked forward to it,” Hansen recalled. “We always had really good equipment and when we went to camp we’d build towers and everything, and make some of the other troops a little jealous.”

Hansen said the Scout Law character traits ingrained in him as a Scout are on display daily as he runs his busy travel business: trustworthiness, loyalty, helpfulness and courtesy, to name a few. “It did form who I am today,” he said, “helping people plan trips, being detail-oriented, taking phone calls after hours or working on weekends to help a customer.”

He remains a believer in the Boy Scout mission and serves on the executive board, as well as the Eagle Scout Board of Review. “It’s girls too, now, which is so cool,” he said. “I’ve talked to a number of women who said they were sad they couldn’t be Boy Scouts when they were growing up, because they didn’t get to do a lot of those adventurous things in Girl Scouts.”

Though Scouting may not have the popularity it once had, its purpose and mission are as important as ever — if not more so. Whether teaching survival skills, enjoyment of nature, reaching goals or character development, Scouting lays a solid foundation. “It’s still viable and there’s still a need for it,” Hansen said. “It really does help shape people’s lives.”

Quivira Council and Morgan Stanley are proud to bring you Eagle Scouts in Action, a monthly showcase of community leaders who are banding together to make a difference in our community!

If you are interested in joining Scouting or have an Eagle Scout in Action you think deserves honoring, call us at 316.264.3386.

JP WEIGAND HONORS NIGHT Mark Arts

Written by Amy Palser