William Serbus of Kimball was selected by Boy Scouts of America as the 2024 Eagle Scout of the Year for the state of Minnesota. This award comes with a $5,000 scholarship. He is the first in Kimball’s history to ever receive Eagle Scout of the Year.
Serbus was notified while he was down competing at the State Wrestling Tournament that he made the top three for Eagle Scout of the Year, guaranteeing him at least a $3,000 scholarship. The Eagle Scholarship Committee would interview the top three candidates and determine a winner of the 2024 Eagle Scout of the Year and the $5,000 scholarship. Serbus completed his zoom interview on March 10.
On April 6, in Fort Snelling, Serbus was announced as the recipient of the $5,000 Scholarship and the winner of the 2024 Eagle Scout of the Year. The two runners-up each earned a $3,000 scholarship. Serbus also was selected by the Scholarship Committee to give the prayer at the dinner.
In the awards ceremony, The Eagle Scholarship Committee stated that this year’s class of Eagle Scouts were outstanding, and the Scholarship Committee was impressed by all the scholarship candidates, but exceptionally impressed with the three honored. In addition to these winners, 17 additional Eagle Scouts will receive $1,500 scholarships, rounding off the top 20 winners out of more than 450 Eagle Scouts. The Eagle Scout scholarship program recognizes Scouts who have displayed extraordinary achievements in academics, athletics, scouting and overall service to their communities.
Third-place $3,000 winner was Matt Higley from Troop 9626 out of New Brighton, a senior at Mounds View High School, who plans on attending St. Thomas for Pre-Med and Biology. His Eagle Scout project was constructing a greenhouse and two garden boxes in North St. Paul.
Second-place $3,000 winner was Jackson Kramer from Troop 3623 out of Hutchinson, a senior at Hutchinson who plans on attending South Dakota State University for Engineering. His Eagle Scout project was teaching the public on proper flag etiquette and flag retirement. And retired 300 flags properly. He also earned all 138 merit badges.
First-place $5,000 winner was William Serbus from Troop 3357 out of Kimball, a senior at Kimball Area High School. Serbus completed his Eagle Scout rank as a 10th-grader, his project was a double-sided sign for the Kimball Fire Department. William plans on attending St. Cloud Technical and Community College for Plumbing and Irrigation, and he hopes to bring his expertise back and work on his family farm, Schiefelbein Farms.
William is the son of Matt and Carly (Schiefelbein) Serbus, and grandson of Frank III and Cathy Schiefelbein, and Dotte Serbus, all of Kimball.
Submitted by Carly Serbus