Ninety-two area boys earn top rank of Eagle Scout

Ninety-two Scouts were recognized for earning the top rank of Eagle Scout at Southeast Missouri State University's Academic Hall on Saturday.

Lanie G. Black III, a poultry producer and state representative, was the 2006 Eagle Scout sponsor. Joseph Russell of Cape Girardeau was the chairman of the Court of Honor.

Eagle Scout Andrew Graham, 16, of Jackson said he felt honored when he was chosen to present the invocation at the ceremony. Although a little nervous, Andrew said, he had experience speaking in front of a select Scout group, Order of the Arrow, where he has held the positions of chief, secretary and treasurer. The speech was one of thanks to the volunteer adults and parents of all the youths. Andrew was one of a dozen in his troop, Troop 311, to become Eagle Scouts.

The young men kept each other motivated, but Andrew said, "It was both my parents who influenced me the most. They expect a lot more than other parents."

Keeping his grades up, learning responsibility and how to get the job done were some of some of his parent's expectations. Continuing an Eagle Scout tradition in the family was another.

"My dad, Mark, was an Eagle Scout. My brother, Peter, is at the Life rank [the position before Eagle] and now he's going to meet the challenge," he said.

Andrew said he considers himself part of a Scouting family.

Brent Wessel, 14, of Chaffee, Mo., is part of another Scouting family. His mother, Rhonda, considers her young Eagle Scout a self-motivator. "When he brought home the Cub Scout flyer eight years ago I didn't think it was something he'd like. Brent was very shy."

But as he progressed through the Scouting ranks, Brent has traded shyness for leadership qualities.

"He's spoken to a group of 30 at campouts during worship service and served as chaplain's aide at our jamboree," said his father, Chris.

Brent said he will stay in Scouting until he's 18. Today he will attend his personal court of honor at the Chaffee American Legion. His advice to potential Eagles was, "Stick with it. You'll reap the benefits and feel much better."

Of those recognized Saturday, 47 were from the Shawnee District. They were Jareth Evers, Matthew Hileman, Hank Hurt, Justin Lane, Drew Lincoln, Troop 2; James Flesher, Murray Grace, Joshua Hinton, Alex Knight, William LaFoe, Brenton Ruopp, Jordan Weiss, Troop 5; Darris Gerlach Jr., Robert Huey, Cory Johns, Cody Peukert, Jared Siemers, Jonathan Siemers, Troop 8; Brandon Doran, Kyle Sutherlin, Troop 11; Eric McLain, Matthew Pfau, Christopher Seyer, Troop 16; David Deisher, Ethan Deuster, Micah Wright, Troop 21; Brett Jansen, Troop 23; Dylan Davis, Matthew Ishmael, Brent Wessel, Troop 51; Gavin Flentge, Troop 155; Randall Schario, Troop 210; Adam Sippel, Troop 250; James Dale, Kyle Garvey, Andrew Graham, Andrew Hinkle, Blake Mayfield, Cody Mayfield, Tyler Morrison, Blake Oldson, Michael Palmer, Jeremy Sarno, Jake Sievers, Justin Voss, Troop 311; Alex Eftink, Joshua Eftink, Troop 315.

The rank of Eagle Scout is reached by only about 4 percent of all Boy Scouts.