By CHRISTINE BOATWRIGHT / Staff Writer

CHELSEA – As the scoutmaster held up the two-finger sign, silence swept across the excited audience at the Chelsea Church of God April 26.

Scoutmaster Jeff Arney lead the boys of Cub Scout Pack 617 in the pursuit of the Arrow of Light, the Cub Scout honor equivalent to the Boy Scout’s Eagle Scout ranking.

“The Arrow of Light award is the highest award available to Cub Scouts,” Arney told the crowd of parents and scouts. “This award allows these boys to join a Boy Scout troop before turning the required age of 11.”

After awarding six Arrows of Light to his Cub Scouts, Arney announced he was departing as the troop’s leader to take up new leadership as he founded a new Boy Scout troop for Chelsea.

“We started this Cub Scout pack two years ago,” he said. “Chelsea already had a pack, but it was larger and we wanted to start another one to serve the community of Chelsea. It grew over the next year, and the more I got involved, the more I realized I was a part of something bigger than me.

“I hope I’ve made a difference in your life,” Arney told his pack. “Pay it forward.”

Jackson Macklin was one of the boys who earned the Arrow of Light and will be joining the newly formed Boy Scout troop.

“As a Boy Scout, I’m setting an example for generations,” Macklin said. “It’s a great way to symbolize America. As a Boy Scout, you’re setting an example for young boys who will someday be in your shoes.”

The boys who received the Arrow of Light award were Jacob Berg, Elliott Campbell II, Hunter Gulledge, Levi Hardegree, Jackson Macklin and Wade Moore.