OUR VIEW: Robson, Class of 2008 help others

» SUMMARY: Giving back to the community is part of the fabric of life in Culpeper, and age makes no difference for those who want to serve others.

Charlie Robson is known for his zany nature, but he took his work with local Boy Scout Troop 196 seriously.

Robson, 71, was honored Sept. 13 for his service to area young people at the eighth annual Culpeper County Good Scout breakfast.

On March 9, 1968, Robson began leading scouts.
Nearly 40 years later, he can point to 68 scouts who have attained the highest rank - Eagle - under this tutelage.

With Robson as mentor, these scouts learned a variety of life skills that have served them well in such varied professions as meteorology (Brian Van de Graaf of ABC 7 in Washington, D.C., who grew up in the Culpeper-Madison area) and the military (Mark Johnson, a former Coast Guard captain).

Not every boy made the rank of Eagle under Robson, but we are certain they all learned important skill sets and are better men today because of his example.

                                      ***

CLASS OF 'O8: At the other end of the age spectrum are this year's senior class officers at Culpeper County High School.

Led by President Samantha Jones with Vice President Claire Willis, Treasurer Chelsea Sachs, Secretary Allie Hansen and delegates Kelly Hart, Lauren Chance, Victoria Steimel, Elaine Sims and Stephanie Gamache, the teenagers have such plans as adopting a highway (Ira Hoffman Lane) to regularly clean up, recognizing a teacher and/or student of the month and operating a holiday soup kitchen.

It's good to see these young people not only focusing inward as a class with such projects as senior class T-shirts and a fall luncheon for their class, but outward as well by finding ways to help and honor those in the Culpeper community.
We commend them.