The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by Dessa Rodeffer, Quill Owner/Publishert
It's a lot of work and commitment to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, but Luke Kinneer reached his goal last Wednesday evening. At a private meeting by the Mississippi Valley Boy Scouts of America Board of Review Luke was questioned before parents and grandparents were called in and told he had been unanimously approved for Eagle Scout, Boy Scouts of America's highest rank. Luke needed to have his final service project completed before his 18th birthday May 24th, to be qualified. Luke said his service project had been delayed due to the interruptions of COVID-19.
Luke's service project was building a sign at the Gladstone Lake to replace the sign that had been destroyed by weather.
The Review board members said they were very pleased with Luke's review and that "he will represent the ideals of Scouting very well." Luke began scouting in grade school and he worked his way through the ranks.
Luke has 25 merit badges that you see represented by a patch sewn onto the banner that drapes his uniform.
A scout can learn about sports, crafts, science, trades, business, and future careers as you earn merit badges with more than 135 merit badges that may be earned at any time.
Scouts need to accumulate at least 21 merit badges before earning the Eagle Scout rank. Of those 21 badges, 14 must come from this list of Eagle-required merit badges and the rest can be any badges not used for these 14.
The following 11 are a must:
"The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Scout Law."
The Review Board can be pretty intense as the ranks increase. They want to make sure the BSA Mission Statement is being carried out.
Scouts are expected to be able to recite the following when reviewed by the committee:
On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight.
A Scout is ... Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, Reverent.
Be Prepared.
Do a good turn daily.
As an American, I will do my best to be:
Clean in my outdoor manners,
Careful with fire,
Considerate in the outdoors, and
Conservation-minded
The Board of Review for the Eagle Rank is different from the other Boards of Review in which the Scout has participated. The members of the Board of Review are not all from the Scout's Troop Committee.
The goal is to understand the Scout's full Scouting experience, and how others can have similar meaningful Scouting experiences. Scouting principles and goals should be central to the Scout's life and the committee must look for evidence of this.
Although this is the final rank, this is not the end of the Scouting trail Luke; "Once an Eagle, always an Eagle".
The board was to explore how this Eagle Scout will continue with Scouting activities, and continued service to home, church, and community.
Questions a Review Board may ask could include these examples:
1. What would you suggest adding to the Scout Law (a thirteenth point)? Why?
2. What one point could be removed from the Scout Law? Why?
3. Why is it important to learn how to tie knots, and lash together poles and logs?
4. What is the difference between a "Hollywood hero" and a real hero?
5.Can you give me an example of someone who is a hero to you? (A real person, not a character in a book or movie.)
6.Why do you think that the Family Life merit badge was recently added to the list of required merit badges?
7.What camping experience have you had, that you wish every Scout could have?
8.Have you been to Philmont or a National (International) Jamboree? What was your most memorable experience there?
9.What is the role of the Senior Patrol Leader at a troop meeting (campout, summer camp)?
10. If you could change one thing to improve Scouting, what would you change?
11.What do you believe our society expects from an Eagle Scout?
12. The charge to the Eagle requires that you give back to Scouting more than Scouting has given to you. How do you propose to do that?
13.As an Eagle Scout, what can you personally do to improve your unit?
14.What will you be doing in your unit, after receiving your Eagle Rank?
15.Why should this Board of Review approve your request for the Eagle Scout Rank?
Luke has had both of his parents Jennifer and Mark Kinneer as scout leaders or assistants. Leaders of his current Biggsville Scout Troop is Matt and Toni Weber assisted by Josh Hinton, Steve Meade, and Mark Kinneer.
There are nine young men in their Boy Scout troop who meet every Sunday evening.
Luke Kinneer, Caleb Kinneer, Carson Davies, Kenneth Higbee, Ryan Jimenez, Andrew Jimenez, Owen Weber, Michael Weber, and Lucien Hinton.
Scouting begins in Kindergarten through age 17.
Kindergarten- Bobcat,
1st grade- Tiger,
2nd grade- Wolf,
3rd grade- Bear
4th grade- Webelo
5th grade- Webelo II
Arrow of Light SCOUT
TENDERFOOT
2ND CLASS SCOUT
1ST CLASS SCOUT
STAR SCOUT
LIFE SCOUT
EAGLE SCOUT
After a thorough private questioning by Mississippi Valley BSA Review committee, the family was invited in to hear that Luke Kinneer, 17, Kirkwood, had been unanimously approved for Eagle Scout–the Boy Scouts of America's highest rank. Review board members in back are: Scot Sullivan, three on right: Iowa District Court Judge Joshua Schier, Jeff Melton, and Brennan Creelman. Far left: Biggsville Scoutmaster Matt Weber, Luke between his parents Mark and Jennifer, his grandparents in front: Rolland and Nancy Kinneer, Alice Defenbaugh, and Zach, Luke's youngest brother.