Before receiving Scouting America's highest award for heroism, one reserved for saving or attempting to save a life at extreme risk to oneself, EHS freshman Devon Champenoy, then 13, sat down with his mother to discuss whether he should go on his troop's upcoming whitewater rafting trip.

He had never been whitewater rafting and didn't like the idea of "getting physical with water like that."

But the opportunity was too good to pass up. Troop 277, which meets in Jersey Village, had landed a spot that summer of 2024 at the coveted Camp Woodruff in Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains and had chosen the whitewater rafting trip.

Who knew if he'd have another chance to raft before he aged out of Scouts? And besides, he trusted his troop completely. He would be safe.

At the rafting site, Devon agreed to join the raft of 52-year-old assistant scoutmaster David Lemley, who was looking for experienced scouts for his raft with three first-time campers. 

All was well until about four and one-half miles in when they encountered Class III rapids, Lemley braced his foot across the side of the raft, and it got pinned under the seat. As he tried to wrestle it free, his body was pulled underwater with his foot stuck inside the boat. Devon “took a couple of deep breaths and let instincts take over,” he said. With Lemley clinging onto a nearby kayaker, Devon wedged his paddle under the seat, stood up in the bucking boat, pulled and pulled, and finally freed Lemley’s foot. Still unable to lift himself back onto the raft (he now has a 12-inch rod in his foot to replace the torn ligaments), Lemley realized it was now without an adult. But then he heard Devon’s voice calling out: “Paddle left. Paddle right. Oars up.”

Devon says he did not realize at the time how serious the situation was. But word of his brave deed reached scout leadership, who recognized that Devon qualified for scouting’s highest honor: The Honor Medal with Crossed Palms, reserved for unusual heroism in saving or attempting to save a life at extreme risk to oneself. Recently, in front of family, friends, and fellow scouts, he received that award.   

We salute Devon Champenoy for his heroic action reflecting the EHS Mission of service to others. This summer Devon plans to attend the Naval Academy’s summer STEM program or—wait for it--a scouting trip that includes whitewater rafting! 

You can view the KHOU 11 news story highlighting Devon's heroic actions here — Houston Boy Scout saves leader's life in Georgia rapids, earns rare heroism honor.