A.V. SCOUT LEADERS HONORED FOR SERVICE TO DISTRICT.

Byline: Karen Thacker Community Columnist

Top local Boy Scout and Cub Scout leaders got awards at the Scouters Recognition Banquet for the Antelope Valley District of Western Los Angeles County Council.

Seven local Boy Scout leaders received the District Award of Merit - the highest award given to volunteers at the district level.

``It's the personal impact or influence they have on a large number of youth that sets them apart,'' said Bart Gentry, the Antelope Valley Scout district executive. ``Through time, they had a significant influence, usually one-on-one, as well as having leadership and support to district and council operations that reach out to hundreds and thousands of youths.''

The honorees are:

Gary Bailey, a chartered organization representative and committee chairman for Troop 39 in Lancaster, sponsored by First Baptist Church.

Evan Gillins, a committee chairman for Troop 408 in Lancaster, sponsored by the Mormon Church, Juniper Ward.

Deborah Walton, committee chairwoman for Cub Scout Pack 146, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus in Quartz Hill.

Cheryl Renfrow, committee chairwoman and chartered organization representative for Troop 541 in Rosamond, sponsored by Karl's Hardware.

Larry Coursey, Antelope Valley District Advancement chairman and chartered organization representative for Troop 283, sponsored by St. Mary's Catholic Church in Palmdale.

Debbie LeDuc, district club leader training chairwoman and a unit commissioner in Lancaster (also Antelope Valley Scouting Service Center secretary).

Jeanne LeNoir, committee chairwoman for Troop 586 in Lancaster, sponsored by American Legion Post 311. She is also the district popcorn sales chairwoman with more than $250,000 in popcorn sales.

The seven were chosen from a pool of nominations districtwide and by the evaluation and selection committee.

One District Award of Merit can be given for every 25 Scouting units; the Antelope Valley District has 167 Scouting units with 4,279 Scouts.

Keith Keen, Scoutmaster of Troop 141, was recognized as Commissioner of the Year for his outstanding service to the Scout units at Edwards Air Force Base.

``He's the one who brings the resources of the district to the units,'' Gentry said.

The Distinguished Commissioner of the Year Award went to Ed Embeck of Lancaster for his tenured position with excellence in service.

Former district chairmen David Myers, a Palmdale city councilman, and Bud Reams, former Westside Union School District superintendent, presented the honors at the Knights of Columbus hall in Lancaster.

Gentry also received a special thank you: a cast sculpture of an American Indian warrior on a horse, with a plaque calling Gentry the ``Heartbeat of the Antelope Valley.''