James H. May, a Boy Scouts of America volunteer for almost 50 years, was recognized by the Greater St. Louis Area Council as its representative in the 2010 National Hall of Leadership. A presentation was made at the council’s Executive Board meeting on Thursday, Dec. 9, 2010. The National Hall of Leadership was part of the BSAs’ 100th anniversary celebration during 2010.

Mr. May and 12 other Scouting volunteers were submitted by a local committee for the national award. Mr. May was selected as the council’s honoree by a national selection committee. He was one of approximately 300 inductees into the Hall of Leadership from throughout the United States.

For the past 44 years, Mr. May led a team of volunteers that taught more than 18,000 Scouts from throughout north St. Louis County how to swim or reviewed them on Swimming or Lifesaving Merit Badge. Advanced lifesaving skills also were taught. Not one serious injury occurred during the program’s history. More than a dozen incidents were documented where Scouts or leaders used lifesaving or CPR skills they learned from this program to save a life.

The other nominees for the award were:
?Albert E. “Rick” Bender, Neal Mercille, ?Barry J. Bingham, Dennis Nicholas, ??Daniel J. Decker, Robert Schwedtmann, Blase W. Boettcher, Sanford A. Silverstein, ?Steven J. Gruendler, ?Robert E. Vogt, ?Kenneth A. Kleinberg