Vincent Mckinney is a Multiplying Good One in a Million Award recipient. They are among the millions of people who are putting others first and using service as a solution to the problems we're facing. Read his story below then nominate someone who's making a difference during this unprecedented time!
One in a Million Award recipient: Vincent Mckinney
Where they are multiplying good: Wayne City, IL
How they are multiplying good: I have been a Scout since 2012, and my first day in Scouting, I learned about Outdoor Ethics and conservation. Scouts live by the motto “Do a good turn daily”, along with the Scout Oath and Law, which remind us of our constant duty toward others. I recognized the importance of these ideas, which later inspired my Eagle Scout Project, and still remain a big part of my Scouting experience and daily life. Since my start in Scouting, I have gone through many leadership courses, completed numerous good deeds, helped lead hundreds of meetings, and spent many weeks surrounded by nature. So, helping others while teaching them to appreciate and respect wildlife as much as I do, is really important to me. My experiences in Scouting inspired my Eagle Scout project, the Wayne City School Herpetarium and Herpetology Club. The goal of my project was to benefit others by teaching people about different reptile species through a hands-on educational environment, and encouraging respect for wildlife.The herpetarium now includes 19 reptiles and amphibians, as well as 4 species of breeding insect colonies, all housed in large vivariums simulating miniature ecosystems. The Herpetology Club gives junior high students the chance to learn responsibility and leadership by being elected into positions as Officers and Zoo Keepers, along with dozens of general members who upkeep the Herpetarium on a daily basis. I wanted my project to be used to promote a love of nature, zoology, biology, ecology, and science in general for all grades kindergarten through high school, as well as the general public. So, in addition to daily upkeep of the herpetarium, we’ve held over 24 tours, hosted school-wide “Name the Reptile” contests, and presented reptile themed conservation assemblies to over 1,000 total individuals between three different school districts, just this year. I have also been working to expand my project, by adding more species, forming a high school club, and hosting a reptile summer camp for younger kids next year. I became an Eagle Scout on November 20, 2019, but I continue leading meetings, assemblies, tours, and events for both Scouts and the Herpetology Club. The main goal of the project was to just encourage a few more people to care more about reptiles and the natural world, but it has influenced so many more. It has had a positive influence over the students at our school, as well as their families, friends, surrounding schools, and other people around the country. I’ve heard from many professional herpetologists, zoos, and conservation organizations nationwide, giving their congratulations to me and the club for everything we’ve done to help promote respect for reptiles and species conservation. I recently won the Jr. Herpetologist award for the International Herpetological Symposium, and I’ve also been selected as the recipient of the Greater St. Louis Area Council’s Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award.
