Ethan Schulze is known by many names around Alliance: Senior and football player #54 at Alliance High School, community organizer and Scout, Troop 216. With regard to his scouting, he has taken on a whole new title.
On October 17, Ethan held his Eagle Rank Court of Honor. He was promoted from Life Scout to Eagle Scout, the Scouts’s highest honor, on June 22, after successfully completing his Eagle Scout Board of Review. Many were in attendance at this event, including family, friends, community members and Scout Troops, including other Eagle Scouts.
Ethan’s journey through the Scouts has not only benefited him throughout life but also his school career. He will be able to continue utilizing the skills he has learned when he attends Chadron State College after high school. He has also received a football scholarship.
“It taught me to manage my work. So instead of procrastinating a lot where I had issues, it taught me how to keep on track and respect my classmates and get along with my teachers and all that,” said Ethan Schulze.
Being a Scout requires community involvement. The fire hydrants around Alliance were restored as part of that community involvement. Ethan planned, organized and ran that restoration program. He participated in other programs around the city as well.
“We actually helped out with the KAB and the community shelters a lot. We got to help out in the community with the less unfortunate. Then on our camping trip we did a replanting tree service,” said Ethan Schulze.
Amber Schulze, Ethan’s mom, explained the significance between each title from Scout to Eagle Scout.
“Every rank marks a different growth for a scout. The Scout first learns about the Scout oath, Scout law and basic responsibility of belonging to the troop. The Tenderfoot is the first real step. They learn outdoor skills, building confidence and understanding of what becomes their practices. The Second Class is when they build foundations of more outdoor skills, teamwork and growing independence. This is where they’re doing bridge building, knife wielding and first aid. This is a lot more scout-led principles. A lot of leadership skills. First class is where they’re really autonomous. No leaders are helping on this one, but the Scout develops foundation, practical skills, contribute confidently to the patrol. They actually help lead the Scouts underneath them; the Scout, the Tenderfoot and the Second Class. They really take more of a leadership role. The Star focuses on leadership service, earning merit badges while taking responsibility of others, and so they have to serve as leadership. Life is where they have to come up with a service project and develop that for six weeks or more, then learn to grow to develop a bigger project. The biggest lesson in Eagle Scout is bringing that all together,” said Amber Schulze.
Scouting provides each troop member with memories that last a lifetime. A memorable moment for Ethan was during a hike where the troop went to Philmont Ranch and hiked 110 miles.
“When I was on that Philmont hike and my buddy and me were playing soccer and we actually ran into a cow herd and we almost got ran over, so we had to run. So it’s a pretty memorable moment,” said Ethan Schulze.
Ethan’s Scouting adventure doesn’t have to end now that he has reached Eagle rank.
“Later down the road, I might enjoy being a Scout Master, so I think I would start my own troop sometime,” said Ethan Schulze.