Honoring Outstanding Volunteers for Their Service—and Recognizing Our 2025 James E. West Fellows for Their Lasting Impact
Whether it’s leading or supporting a camporee, participating on Eagle Board of Reviews, directing a Wood Badge, BALOO, IOLS, or EDGE training course, chairing an annual event like R-Boo-C, coordinating the annual Veteran’s Day parade, or participating on a council committee, these individuals have demonstrated their extensive commitment with exceptional service and leadership within the council to serve in a variety of ways.
Award of Merit
This year we have the pleasure of awarding the Award of Merit to 8 volunteer leaders who have contributed significant time and talent to support our units and our council.
Daneille R. Alfandre, Award of Merit Recipient
“Scouting is meaningful to me because, most importantly, I am honored to spend time with tomorrow’s leaders and today’s exceptional adults. Additionally, as a scout leader, not only do I have the opportunity to participate in all of the incredible adventures, but I am also trusted and privileged enough to facilitate a path for the youth to achieve their biggest dreams.”
Danielle Alfandre, lives in San Tan Valley and has been involved in Scouting for eight years. Her primary Scouting role is Associate Advisor for the Wipala Wiki Lodge; she is also on the Committee for Troop 738. Significant service to Scouting includes: NYLT Director, Philmont Lead Advisor, and OA Associate Advisor.
For Danielle, “Scouting is meaningful to me because, most importantly, I am honored to spend time with tomorrow’s leaders and today’s exceptional adults. Additionally, as a scout leader, not only do I have the opportunity to participate in all of the incredible adventures, but I am also trusted and privileged enough to facilitate a path for the youth to achieve their biggest dreams.”
Congratulations, Danielle!
Michael W. Fredrick, Award of Merit Recipient
“The core values and beliefs of Scouting have helped define who I am today. I learned them as a youth and they have guided me ever since. Knowing what Scouting has done for me and my friends I want to help young people today find these same guiding principles and passions. I have also found new adult friends that share those common values.”
Michael is an Eagle Scout, lives in Flagstaff and has been involved in Scouting (as an “always an Eagle Scout”) for 39 years. His primary role is Scoutmaster for Troop 7031.
His service to the Scouting community includes Cub Master Pack 7098, Adult Leader Training through Wood Badge as staff and 2025 Course Director (because every scout deserves a trained leader), and Merit Badge Counselor.
Michael has received the Unit Award of Merit, Scouters Key, Adult Religious Award for supporting youth in the Methodist Church through Scouting.
As Michael states, “The core values and beliefs of Scouting have helped define who I am today. I learned them as a youth and they have guided me ever since. Knowing what Scouting has done for me and my friends I want to help young people today find these same guiding principles and passions. I have also found new adult friends that share those common values.”
Congratulations, Michael!
Michael A. Frost, Award of Merit Recipient
“I am passionate about Scouting because of how it shaped his character as a youth and the opportunities it afforded for his kids to explore the world and grow into adults who make moral and ethical choices.”
Michael Frost began his Scouting journey in 1982 in Monterey, CA; Arrow of Light in 1985 in Springfield, VA, and earned Eagle Scout in 1992 and sat the in 1993 in New York City, NY. As a youth and young adult, he served in leadership roles including National Jamboree staff and multiple positions at Ten Mile River Scout Reservation, while also supporting inner-city youth through Scout Reach. He was named a James E. West Fellow in 2025.
After serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, Mike returned to Scouting in 2009 with his son in Arizona and quickly became an active volunteer. He served in numerous roles including Assistant Den Leader, District Commissioner, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Scoutmaster. He earned the District Award of Merit (2015), Scouter’s Key (2019), Unit Leader Award of Merit (2016), and William D. Boyce Award (2020). He also helped expand Scouting for young women as a founding leader in and subsequent Scoutmaster in Prescott, AZ. Since 2016, he has continuously served as Scoutmaster across multiple troop structures, including boy led, girl led, and family Scouting.
At the District level, Mike helped organize and sustain annual Camporees and played a key role in maintaining Scouting programs through periods of organizational change. He strengthened partnerships with community organizations such as the American Legion who charters Troop 7007, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows who charters Troops 7330, 8330, and Pack 7330 and has supported many recruitment, volunteer recognition, and local engagement efforts.
Beyond the local level, Mike completed Wood Badge, served as a Short Term Camp Administrator, and provided medical support at the 2019 World Scout Jamboree and 2023 National Jamboree, along with numerous regional events.
Over 17 years in Arizona, Mike has helped sustain and grow rural Scouting by creating meaningful experiences and opportunities for youth. With nearly 30 years in Scouting, he continues to serve as Scoutmaster, support Eagle Scout Boards of Review, and provide medical services, while working as a Nurse Practitioner and supporting his two Eagle Scout children.
According to Mike, “I am passionate about Scouting because of how it shaped his character as a youth and the opportunities it afforded for his kids to explore the world and grow into adults who make moral and ethical choices.”
Congratulations Michael!
Stephanie Russell, Award of Merit Recipient
“Scouting is about leaving people better than you found them and encourages every Scout and Scouter to lead with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to serving others.”
A lifelong Scouter and committed servant leader, Stephanie Russell serves the Grand Canyon Council as a member of the NYLT Key 3 and the Council Coordinator for Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops (ILST), while also leading at the unit level as Scoutmaster of Troop 3365 and Crew Advisor for Crew 7365.
Stephanie has received Awards for Den Leader Training, Cub Scouter and Webelo Den Leader, James E. West, is Wood Badge trained and has served on Council leadership committees.
Known for blending lofty standards with genuine care, Stephanie focuses on developing youth leaders who are confident, capable, and grounded in service. Stephanie believes, “Scouting is about leaving people better than you found them and encourages every Scout and Scouter to lead with humility, curiosity, and a commitment to serving others.”
Congratulations Stephanie!
Jeff Schwartz, Award of Merit Recipient
“It is a truly inspiring experience to see their growth as a young person. It’s totally awesome.”
Jeff Schwartz has been involved in Scouting for over 15 years. His current role is Advancement Chair for Troop 9033 in Flagstaff. Jeff has served as the Webelos Weekend Camp Coordinator, Committee Chair, Merit Badge Counselor, and is member of the Order of the Arrow. In addition, Jeff has served his community as a baseball, basketball, and soccer coach. He has even had the opportunity to participate in dance recitals! Jeff says he loves the board of review process, talking with a Scout moving through the ranks. Jeff says, “It is a truly inspiring experience to see their growth as a young person. It’s totally awesome.”
Congratulations, Jeff!
Brady Vorachek, Award of Merit Recipient
“My commitment to bettering the facilities for these kids to grow and learn will hopefully continue well into the future.”
Brady Vorachek started out life in his hometown of Sedona AZ as a First Class Scout and then on an adventurous path into the Military to Culinary school as a chef, eventually landing and becoming a General/ Electrical Contractor in Phoenix.
Brady is an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 747 and Head of Council for Development at Camp Geronimo. Brady’s passion for scouting grew stronger after completing the Wood badge course where Dr. Mike and his staff taught him the importance of Scouting and the kid’s futures with the saying; “Plant the trees, under whose shade I will never sit.” Brady states, “My commitment to bettering the facilities for these kids to grow and learn will hopefully continue well into the future.”
Congratulations, Brady!
David Kendrick Wheeler, Award of Merit Recipient
“Scouting is one of the formative threads in my life. The people, places, and experiences; learning and growing and having fun as a youth were part of the backbone of my many major life decisions. It is not an exaggeration that I have repeated the scout law to myself frequently not as an admonishment but as a joyful reminder of a rhythm of integrity and service that I have endeavored to embody. "
David Kendrick Wheeler is an Eagle Scout and Wood Badge Beaver from Mesa, where he journeyed from Bobcat to Eagle with Pack and Troop 653, of which he now serves. David’s profession is a special education English teacher and has been involved in Scouting for about 16 years. David’s primary Scouting role is Advancement Chair and he is currently an OA Associate Chapter Advisor. David is currently troop 653’s Order of the Arrow representative, and Assistant Chapter Advisor for Apache Trail.
He has served the troop as chaplain and advancement chair, and our council as camp commissioner, council photographer, NYLT Scoutmaster, and is a member of the religious activities team. He sees Scouting as a lifelong rhythm of integrity, service, and hope. According to David, “It has been my pleasure to serve the troop as a Committee Member, Chaplain, and the Advancement Chair. I have also enjoyed helping our council with being Scoutmaster at NYLT, marketing photography, and serving as a commissioner at camp Geronimo.” David received the following honors over the years; Arrow of Light, Youth Religious, Eagle Scout, and the Scout Leaders Training Award.
David shares, “Scouting is one of the formative threads in my life. The people, places, and experiences; learning and growing and having fun as a youth were part of the backbone of my many major life decisions. It is not an exaggeration that I have repeated the scout law to myself frequently not as an admonishment but as a joyful reminder of a rhythm of integrity and service that I have endeavored to embody. It’s been a great joy to return to my childhood troop to reinvest myself back into the fabric of scouting. There is nothing like it and I hope to be able to continue for much longer. I believe scouting is an integral part of the hope of today as we all keep building more and better scouts.”
Congratulations, David!
Maria Zarr, Award of Merit Recipient
“Scouting is meaningful because I can see how it creates confident, knowledgeable, skilled youth that become productive leaders in their communities.”
Maria lives in Tempe., a mother to an Eagle Scout, two Venturing Silver Award recipients earned by her two daughters. In addition, one has earned her Ranger Award. A proud Mom who has been involved in Scouting since 1996. Her primary roles in Scouting are Advancement Chair and she works at the Scout Shop. Maria has significantly served youth in Scouting including 12 summers as a Nature Director at Camp Raymond and 5 as Camp OA Advisor. She has received the OA Vigil Honor.
For Maria, “Scouting is meaningful because I can see how it creates confident, knowledgeable, skilled youth that become productive leaders in their communities.”
Congratulations, Maria!
James E. West Fellowship
We would like to recognize and honor those volunteers who have supported Grand Canyon Council financially by contributing to our endowment fund. While the endowment often goes unnoticed by many, it plays a critical role for our long-term success. The endowment provides funds to keep the council, its camps, and its staff running, which in turn support our units. The James E. West Fellowship, named after Scouting’s first professional Scouter, who did so much to build the foundations for Scouting, recognizes those individuals who have either contributed at least $1000 to the council endowment or have been recognized by another contributing to their name.
The following generous individuals represent our 2025 James E. West Fellows:
- Devin Clark – (Special note: Devin Clark is the first female Order of the Arrow Lodge Chief for our lodge in Grand Canyon Council)
- Cody Courtright
- Jory & Angela Dellinger
- Michael Fredrick
- Jefferson W. Hall
- Tom Lynott
- John J. Medcalf
- Shannon S. O’Hara-Haworth
- William Scarbrough
- Gabriella Takeuchi
- Ryan Takeuchi
View more on our Facebook page!
