Christian Manecke awarded with Eagle Scout
Taylor County recently gained its newest Eagle Scout when Christian Manecke was presented with the rank as part of a ceremony at the Cutting Edge Youth Center in Medford. Christian is the son of David and Denise Manecke and is a Senior at Athens High School.
Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in boy scouting. Nationally, only about 4 percent of all boys who enter scouting earn the rank of Eagle.
Christian Manecke became a Cub Scout member of Pack 350 of Athens in September of 2012. He advanced through the levels of Bobcat, Tiger, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light. In March 2017, Christian bridged over to Troop 536 of Medford and began his climb to the top. Along the way, he achieved the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star Scout, Life Scout, and finally Eagle Scout. Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in boy scouting. Nationally, only about 4 percent of all boys who enter scouting earn the rank of Eagle!
Christian earned the 14 Eagle required merit badges which are Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the World, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the Society, First Aid, Communication, Camping, Swimming, Environmental Science, Personal Management, Personal Fitness, Family Life, Cooking and Emergency Preparedness. The additional 24 merit badges he chose were Geology, Dentistry, Electricity, Game Design, Automotive Maintenance, Fingerprinting, Wilderness Survival, Moviemaking, Space Exploration, Wood Working, Orienteering, Indian Lore, Leatherwork, Canoeing, Pulp and Pape, Basketry, Mammal Study, Signs, Signals, and Codes, Rifle Shooting, Railroading, Photography, Energy, Forestry, and Soil and Water Conservation. Some of his favorite merit badges he states were Environmental Science, Wilderness Survival, Photography, and Automotive Maintenance. He remembers the counselors making it fun to learn!
In addition to earning 38 merit badges throughout Christian’s time in scouts and showing leadership on the troop level, his last step to becoming an Eagle Scout was completing a service project to benefit the community.
Christian chose to make two Life Preserver Kiosks; they are filled with life preservers for people to use and return while they are at the lakes. They were placed at Sackett’s Lake and Wellington Lake, both located north of Medford. Christian extends a HUGE “Thank You” to the Taylor County Sportsman Club, S & A Trophy, and Gille Designs, LLC for their generous donations to his Eagle Service Project.
Christian wishes most of all to thank his parents David and Denise Manecke for never giving up and keeping him grounded in Scouting. He also extends a big thank you to his Scoutmaster Kyle Firnstahl, and Assistant Scoutmaster Joseph Daniels for all their help achieving this rank. Christian would also like to thank his former Cubmaster David Dvorak and former Scoutmaster Justin Zirngible for all their help and dedication to his scout career, and all his family and fellow scouts for their help with the project and preparing for his ceremony.
Lastly, Christian wishes to thank Representative James Edming for attending his Eagle Ceremony and for presenting him with an Eagle Scout Citation Plaque signed by Governor Tony Evers, himself and State Senator Cory Tomczyk. Edming also presented Christian with an American Flag and a Wisconsin Flag that were flown over the state Capital building. He praised Christian for all his achievements and hard work that went into earning the Eagle Scout rank.
A Scout is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent.
Christian Manecke (right) with Joe Svejda of Taylor County with the life jacket loaner boards built at area lakes as part of Manecke’s Eagle Scout project.
Christian Manecke (left) receives a plaque and American Flag from Rep. James Edming.
Flanked by his parents, Christian Manecke recites the Scout Oath during the ceremony recognizing him for earning the rank of Eagle Scout.
