I first met James while he was in the Wolf program of Cub Scout Pack 92. During the past six years, James and my son have been in Boy Scout Troop 92 together. I have served in various adult leadership roles for the troop and have grown to know James more closely through that association. His Scouting record is impeccable and reflects the results of countless hours of devotion, work, and play to Scouting. As noted on his Scouting Record, James has an amazing number of achievements and awards because of his commitment to Scouting. Although my relationship with James has developed through the Scouting program, I am also very familiar with his many other activities and accomplishments in his church, our schools, and our community.
James takes an active role in his church. He works in the church library, volunteers for Vacation Bible School, serves as an usher, and mows the grass. Because of his devotion to First Baptist Church, it was important to James that his church be the beneficiary of his Eagle Scout project. An attractive limestone sign now graces the grounds of the church, thanks to James.
James is an honor student and participates in numerous school activities. He plays sports for Wamego High School year round and was nominated as Honorable Mention to the All-League football team this past fall. James is a member of the National FFA Organization and the National Honor Society. He is also a past member of both the Wamego High School Marching and Concert Bands.
Because of his Scouting background and deep faith, James also knows the importance of community service. He has helped numerous area community service organizations including the Flint Hills Breadbasket, the Wamego Council of Churches Food Pantry, and Community Health Ministries. James has participated in several food drives for these organizations as well as spending many hours organizing the food items. James is also devoted to serving youth in the community. He has spent many volunteer hours helping the Wamego Basketball Association and has helped students at Central Elementary School with their annual Science Fair. James has reached outside his own community by helping tornado victims in the Chapman, Kansas and Manhattan, Kansas disasters.
I am extremely proud of James’ past accomplishments and his dedication to his faith, his church, his community and Scouting. His school scholarship and many extracurricular school activities speak for themselves.
These past few months I have been amazed at the strength and determination that James has shown in his fight with cancer. He has literally been a rock. When others, such as myself, wilted and folded under worry and concern about James, he remained strong and determined. He provided US the strength to go on and get to the next day! James is such an inspiration to people - both young and old - it is such an understatement to say VOTE for James Manning!