Shreveport Teen Dedicates Scouting Project to Drowning Victims

A local teenager has dedicated his Eagle Scout Project to six teenagers who drowned while swimming in the Red River in 2010.

Grant Muslow, an eighth-grader at Caddo Middle Magnet and member of St. Paul's Episcopal Troop 14, presented a water safety kiosk and life jacket stand to Sheriff Steve Prator. They'll be used while deputies are teaching water safety at Sheriff's Safety Town.

Muslow told the sheriff's office he saw a similar stand in Alaska while he was on vacation and decided to make one himself.

"At first, I wanted to create the stand for use on the river," he said in a news release. "But then it was suggested that I donate it to Sheriff's Safety Town to help educate children."

He decided to dedicate the project to the six children from the Stewart and Warner families who drowned August 2, 2010. A plaque affixed to the kiosk honors Litrelle, Latevin and LaDarius Stewart, and Takeitha, JaMarcus and JaTavious Warner. The Warner children's mother, Mande, was at the dedication.

"The commitment that it takes to become an Eagle Scout is, in itself, commendable and honorable," Sheriff Prator said. "But to use this project to honor the memories of the Stewart and Warner children while teaching others about safety goes beyond that. We're very proud of Grant and thankful for this contribution to Safety Town."

The kiosk will certainly be a helpful tool. Hundreds of children were at Safety Town just a couple of weeks ago for Super Safety Saturday, and the water safety stop was quite a popular attraction.