Loose Creek Boy Scout Troop awarded nine Eagle Scout awards in a Court of Honor ceremony on March 20, including the first-ever award to a female scout, Samantha Bax, since girls were allowed to join the organization in 2019.

These nine scouts join a rather elite group. Only 8% of scouts earn the highest rank, according to the Scouts BSA website. There are a series of requirements that a scout must complete to earn the award, with one of the most recognizable components being to complete an Eagle Scout project. The scout must come up with a service project, present the idea to a board, raise money, and supervise and participate in completing the project. All nine of the scouts who received their award worked hard on service projects throughout the community.

— Bax, daughter of Andy and Stacia Bax, donated non-perishable food items and keeps areas around the community stocked with food items for people in need.

— Joseph Schwartz, son of Chuck and Sue Schwartz, erected a flagpole at the Westphalia Lions Club soccer field. 

— Mathew Borgmeyer, son of John and Kim Borgmeyer, built a new backstop and fence at the Immaculate Conception ball field behind the church in Loose Creek. 

— Daniel Kleffner, son of Doug and Sheila Kleffner, designed and set up foul poles at the Loose Creek Community Club ball field.

— Paul Boeckmann, son of Chris and Denise Boeckmann, reworked the landscaping and built a bench at the John H. Stratman apartments in Linn. 

— Jace Bax, son of Andy and Stacia Bax, put a sign up at St. Joseph Parish in Westphalia and built a fence around the dumpster at the church. 

— Adam Thoenen, son of Dan and Sondra Thoenen, built a memorial for A. J. Schwartz at the Immaculate Conception Church in Loose Creek. 

— Jackson Riegel, the Son of Matt and Michelle Riegel, poured concrete sidewalks and walkways around the ball field at the Loose Creek Community Center. 

— Hayden Hoffman, son of Travis and Stephanie Hoffman, built a sidewalk and landscaped and added rock to the new playground at the Loose Creek Community Center. 

The ceremony opened Sunday morning with a prayer by Immaculate Conception priest Fr. Tony R. Rinaldo, who asked for grace for the nine Eagle Scouts and implored God to lead and guide them throughout the rest of their lives.  

After a traditional color guard ceremony, Pledge of Allegiance, and recitation of the Scout Oath, the Eagle Scouts were called to the front of the group with their parents. They relayed their favorite memories about their time in scouting, which ranged from camping to swimming to building fires and working on their service projects.  The parents of the Eagle Scouts were also asked to say a few words to their scouts. 

Andy Bax recounted the unique experience of having two scouts in the program at the same time and having the only female scout within the troop. Dan Thoenen recounted watching his son Adam grow throughout the program. Matt Riegel, who is an Eagle Scout, was beaming as he relayed the pride of watching his son, Jackson, become an Eagle Scout. Stephanie Hoffman echoed these sentiments for her son Hayden as she talked about what a fine young man he had become. 

Eagle Scouts were presented their award and the Eagle Scouts presented a pin to their mothers and were told to continue to honor their fathers. The scouts were also given the opportunity to present a mentor pin to the person who had become a trusted guide thought out their scout journey.

Missouri Rep. Bruce Sassmann, who had taken a special interest in the troop and had hosted them at the state capital several months ago, spoke to the boys about what an honor it was to be a part of the ceremony. He relayed that it was a big regret of his life that he had not been involved in scouting. He presented the individual scouts with a framed resolution from the Missouri House of Representatives congratulating them on their accomplishments.

Former Scout Leader Terry Holden could not be at the ceremony in person but sent a letter that was read to the scouts. He recounted funny moments with the scouts while they were on outings and provided a video of one particularly funny ceremony the boys thought up at camp.

“Scouting is about funny stories that keep the boys interested and coming back to scouting,” Holden wrote.

Five Rivers District Commissioner Jerry Backes also congratulated the scouts on their accomplishments.

“Scouting is fun, but it is also important,” said Backes, who congratulated the parents, families, and leaders of the scouts as well. “It’s a long journey. They don’t do it alone but the skills they learn will benefit them throughout their lives.”

Backes challenged the boys to keep growing and keep fun at the center of what they do.

The Eagle scouts were also presented with individual gifts from their parents.

As a final instruction from their scout leaders, the newly-awarded Eagle Scouts were instructed to uphold the Scout Oath throughout their lives and live with honor.