Eagle Scout Lawson builds outdoor worship setting

Andruw Lawson’s project for Eagle Scout requirements added an outdoor worship area at Madison Christian Church.

Andruw Lawson earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

“My parents always taught me that I must finish what I start. The more involved I became in scouting I realized that making Eagle was the ultimate goal,” Lawson said.

Lawson is a member of Troop 7240, which meets at First United Methodist Church in Athens. In Cub Scouts Pack 7024 of Athens, he was a Tiger Cub and then earned all 20 Webelos pins and the Arrow of Light, Cub Scouting’s highest award.

“I realized I had what it takes to achieve my goals,” Lawson said. “Making Eagle means so much to me. This is something no one can ever take away from me. I hope this honor will help open doors for me in the future.”

For his service project, Lawson designed an outdoor worship center at his home church, Madison Christian Church.

He enlisted help from his troop, church family and friends. “I used donated steel from Brad Thomason, a Scout dad, and lumber purchased at wholesale cost from Collins Supply in Athens,” Lawson said.

Pleased with Lawson’s work, the church added a pebble path and several landscaping projects. “One person said (it’s) the perfect place for an outdoor wedding,” Lawson said. “Another person said (it’s) a great outdoor classroom for a home school or Scout troop.”

A sophomore, Lawson plays cymbals in the drumline with Athens High School Marching Band. He has served as his troop’s Senior Patrol leader and Den Chief for Cub Scout Pack 7024 for three years.

At Madison Christian Church, he teaches younger children, participates in youth activities and Disciples of Christ, Alabama/Northwest Florida region.

He enjoys music, hanging out with friends and his pet reptiles. He plans to major in zoology at Auburn University.

His parents are Mike and Alethea Lawson. He works for Cornerstone Supply in Madison. She works for Redstone Federal Credit Union. His brother Zarley Lawson is an eighth-grader at Athens Middle School and a Life Scout.