Huntsman comes full circle

Submitted photo/Gravette 2018 graduate Daniel Huntsman, an Eagle Scout with several scouting expeditions among his experiences, will soon reacquaint himself with high altitudes and low humidity, as shown in this July 4, 2017, photo, once he arrives in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Huntsman was appointed to the Air Force Academy by Congressman Steve Womack.
Submitted photo/Gravette 2018 graduate Daniel Huntsman, an Eagle Scout with several scouting expeditions among his experiences, will soon reacquaint himself with high altitudes and low humidity, as shown in this July 4, 2017, photo, once he arrives in Colorado Springs, Colo., at the U.S. Air Force Academy. Huntsman was appointed to the Air Force Academy by Congressman Steve Womack.

SPRINGDALE -- Daniel Huntsman came full circle when he graduated from Gravette High School in May.

Life has been mapped out along a literal perpetual journey for the self-described "Air Force brat" since he was born at Altus Air Force Base, Altus, Okla., a city with nearly 20,000 residents about 138 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, the youngest of three children belonging to Lt. Col. Bryan Huntsman (USAF retired) and Carolyn Huntsman. After attending eight schools across the country and in Germany, Daniel transferred to Gravette High School, his dad's hometown high school.

Bryan Huntsman spent 23 years on active duty in the Air Force as a pilot, attaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. Daniel's career path differs from his father's, which got started with reserve officers training (ROTC) at the University of Arkansas. The elder Huntsman flew C-17 and C-141 airplanes.

Daniel is no stranger to adventure. He is an Eagle Scout and a member of the Order of the Arrow. Being a Scout has provided Daniel a wonderful opportunity to experience high adventure. He has attended the Scout Jamboree twice at Bechtel Summit Scout Ranch in West Virginia.

Daniel has also been on a trek to Northern Tier, a scouting program with outdoor adventures set among base sites at Ely, Minn.; Atikokan, Ontario; Bissett, Manitoba; and Okpik Winter Adventures at Ely, Minn.

Daniel's scouting experiences include the Florida National High Adventure Sea Base, located in the Florida keys, which offers a year-round opportunity to explore the great underwater wilderness. The Sea Base offers fishing, sailing and scuba diving.

Daniel worked on a trail crew at Philmont Scout Ranch, the Boy Scouts of America's largest national High Adventure Base, which covers 140,177 acres of rugged mountain wilderness in the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) range of the Rocky Mountains in northern New Mexico. Spanish explorer Antonio Valverde y Cosio named the Sangre de Cristo mountains in 1719 after being impressed by the reddish hue of the snowy peaks at sunrise, which reminded him of the "Blood of Christ." According to its website, Philmont Scout Ranch operates 35 staffed camps and 55 trail camps among high mountains with rough terrain and elevations that range from 6,500 to 12,441 feet.

Daniel spent a summer working as a lifeguard at Camp Orr, another Boy Scout adventure base located south of Harrison along the banks of the Buffalo River and the only Boy Scout camp situated within a national park. Nearly 600 acres of the scenic Buffalo National River Wilderness Area are available for long-term summer camping for Boy Scouts of all ages and abilities.

Activity opportunities include backpacking, canoeing, rappelling, rock climbing and others. Facilities include a 520 person dining hall, trading post, three cabins, platform tent campsites and co-educational facilities. This camp also provides short-term camping for Boy Scouts and Webelos and is used for various district and council events.

He will spend a week volunteering at Camp Orr this summer before he heads to basic cadet training as one last adventure before the next chapter of his life begins.

In addition to scouting, Daniel played football, baseball, ran track, swam competitively, sang in his high school choir, and was a member of marching band during his high school years.

During his freshman year, Daniel marched in the iconic Rose Parade on New Year's Day. Daniel was also involved in National Honor Society and student government. He served as a student council representative, junior class vice president, and as student body vice president his senior year at Gravette. He attended Arkansas Boys State and the Rotary Youth Leadership Award weekend. Daniel finished out his high school experience by landing the lead role in his school's spring play. His goal was to try as many fun, new things in high school as he could possibly squeeze in.

Daniel decided during his senior year he wanted to do Quiz Bowl. Although he had no experience in Quiz Bowl competition, Daniel was thrilled to be on the team, which ended up going to the state tournament where Gravette was eliminated by Pocahontas.

"It was a lot of fun," Daniel said. "I loved that tight-knit feeling."

Anticipation is building up as the summer goes by -- balanced by the honor Daniel feels to be a member of USAF Cadet Class of 2022 eager to face challenges that lie ahead alongside his fellow cadets.

"I'm really excited," Daniel said. "This is something I've looked forward to since middle school."

Sports on 06/20/2018