Four Boy Scout Troop 114 Members Earn Eagle Scout Honors

Below is a news release from Boy Scout Troop 114:

Stillwater Mayor Ken Harycki declared Aug. 15, Steven Nelson, Jonathan Osifuye, Andrew Tomten, and Brady Tynen Day, in honor of the Troop 114 members' completion of the Eagle Scout rank.

Mayor Harycki commented on the rarity of any Boy Scouts earning the Eagle rank (only about two percent), let alone four from the same patrol. 

But this is an especially tight group of young men, and they always have been. The four Eagle Scouts have been together since their days as first-grade Tiger Scouts at Oak Park Elementary School.

Most of the members of their original den did continue with Boy Scouts through high school. One other member of the “Pedro Patrol,” Ben Scheel, earned his Eagle rank earlier in the school year. 

At the Aug. 15 Eagle ceremony, the four recipients thanked the several of the adult leaders who helped inspire them and keep the group intact for so many years.

They expressed special gratitude to Jean Tynen, their first Den Mother, who opened her family’s home to “a bunch of crazy first graders.” Jim Kimbllin, Jean Tynen’s assistant, also stayed with the scouts from the start, and sremained an active mentor to the troop throughout.

Also credited were Bob Jordan, Pat Tynen and Todd Scheel, dads who were actively involved in troop activities and escapades.

Roger Tomten, the Troop Scoutmaster for the bulk of the Eagles’ time as Boy Scouts, received recognition for his contributions. After “retiring” as Scoutmaster, Tomten stayed on to mentor the scouts through their individual Eagle projects.

The Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Boy Scouting.

To earn this designation, a Boy Scout must earn at least twenty-one Merit Badges and design a service project that demonstrates the individual’s commitment to leadership, community, and a number of other criteria. Once the project is approved, the scout fundraises and seeks donated materials, and manages the labor (provided by his fellow scouts). 

Steven Nelson: Son of Scott and Sandy Nelson of Oak Park Heights, constructed benches for an outdoor classroom at Stillwater Area High School’s Environmental Learning Center. In his short speech, he described his feelings of pride and accomplishment as he saw his outdoor classroom area put to use during the spring of last school year.

Jonathan Osifuye: Son of Ometress White of Woodbury, designed and constructed a public canoe rack at Lily Lake. His project reflected his fond memories of the many outdoor adventures scouting offered him. Interestingly, Jonathan moved away from Stillwater in elementary school, but was motivated to give back to this community.

Andrew Tomten: Son of Roger and Elizabeth Tomten of Stillwater, created a wooden message board for the trail around Lake McKusick, and provided trail markers along the path. Andrew is the third in his family to receive theEagle Scout rank, following his older brother Michael, and his dad.

Brady Tynen: Son of Pat and Jean Tynen of Stillwater, designed and built a innovative and organized lost-and-found system for Stillwater Jr. High.  His work included three wooden bins with removable inserts that can be wheeled and stowed under countertops. Parents and students looking for their lost items have been grateful and impressed by the clever system. 

The four scouting friends and the other patrol members are headed off to different colleges this fall, but they’ll surely stay in touch.

They are planning on more adventures and nature-oriented trips together during breaks and summers to maintain the friendships established years ago at Oak Park School. Although they’ll be separated by state borders, they’ll have the experiences and memories that make them part of Troop 114.