Riley Matthiesen has joined the ranks of a rare few: he is an Eagle Scout. Only about 5 percent of Boy Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.
Technically, Matthiesen earned the rank of Eagle Scout back in December, but his ceremony was last week, May 4. Beyond Eagle Scout rank, Matthiesen also earned Eagle Religious and Bronze Palm this March.
In his pathway to Eagle Scout, Matthiesen has earned 28 belt loops as a Cub Scout, 20 youth activity pins as a Webelos, and 36 merit badges as a Boy Scout. This is quite a commitment for a Scout (and his parents and community). His community project was an aluminum can recycling trailer; someone was depositing several bags of cans as the Eagle ceremony was ending.
Matthiesen is the 16th Eagle Scout from Kimball Pack 357. He joins Jarett Edwards, Skyler Schiefelbein, Keali?Äôi Kapoi, Austin Roerick, Brad Mies, Marlowe Lexvold, Alex Harter, Jonathon Green, Erick Thompson, Matt Gannon, Rick Stanz, Chris Liedman, Thor Mattick, Jesse Liedman, and Soren Mattick. (Caleb Anderson and Hunter Schreifels achieved Eagle Scout through another Scout pack.)
There are two more Scouts on their paths to Eagle Scout under the leadership of retiring Scout Master Bill Liedman. Mike Erpelding and Matt Serbus are bringing up a new group of Scouts who may make their own paths toward Eagle Scout. Boys are invited and encouraged to join Scouting, and can contact either Erpelding or Serbus for more information.
Kimball?Äôs newest Eagle Scout Riley Matthiesen (center) posed with his parents Larry and Pam right after his Eagle ceremony. Staff photo by Jean Doran Matua.