Georgiana’s Larry Michael Newton is one of less than 20 people in the history of Alabama to receive the Order of the Arrow’s Distinguished Service Award (DSA), one Boys Scouts of America’s highest honors. Newton was awarded the honor on Aug. 2.

He started his scouting career when he was 11 as a member of Troop 520, chartered by the First United Methodist Church in Greenville.

Two days after his 15th birthday, Newton earned his Eagle Scout award and later earned a bronze Eagle palm. He was presented with the Vigil Honor in 2005 and Founders’ Award in 2006.

As a scout, Newton has served in various leadership positions, including Alibamu Lodge Vice-Chief on two occasions. He was elected as section secretary in 2002-03, and twice as section chief in 2005-07 for southern Alabama, southern Georgia and the Florida panhandle. He coordinated a Merit Badge Day for Huntingdon College where he attended school, which has been a success for the past four years.

Nationally, he has served on the National Order of the Arrow Committee, National Boy Scout Committee, and National Advancement Committee.

As National Vice-Chief, Newton traveled an estimated 180 days throughout the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico while maintaining 36 hours of class and working a part-time job.

In college, he served on the freshmen forum, in the SGA Senate, and on the Judicial Board, coauthored the current SGA constitution, and worked with the administration of Huntingdon College to organize the 2008 2nd Congressional debate between Bobby Bright and Jay Love. He was honored as an inductee into Tri-Sigma Honor Society of Huntingdon, presented the most outstanding award, and chosen as Who’s Who among American College Students.

Currently, he works as a consultant and continues to be active in scouting.

He is the son of Larry and Cheryl Newton of McKenzie, and Chief James and Marie Blackmon of Georgiana. He is a 2009 graduate of Huntingdon College with a major in Political Science and minor in English.

He is a 2005 graduate of Fort Dale Academy.