Eagle Rank Only the Beginning For Simley Senior

On Monday, April 16th, 2012, Inver Grove Heights Troop 507 had the privilege of holding a Court of Honor to award the Eagle Rank to troop member Matt Kadrlik.

This is the highest rank a young man can attain in Boy Scouts, and is achieved by less than four percent of the boys who begin the program.

Twelve years ago, Matt joined Pack 507 out of , as a first grader. He worked his way through the early Cub Scout ranks into 5th grade, when he achieved the Arrow of Light Award and crossed over into Boy Scout Troop 507.

Over the next seven years, Matt advanced through the Boy Scout ranks, while participating in 33 service projects and working on Merit Badges such as Small Boat Sailing, Canoeing, Personal Fitness and Emergency Preparedness.

As well as being fun, these prepared him well for his many campouts, highlights which include a river canoe trip down the Namekagon River, a five-day canoe trip to the BWCA and a backpacking trip to Philmont in New Mexico.

Matt was elected crew leader for the Philmont trip, where he led his crew of 12 for more than 90 miles over 12 days, on the rugged mountain trails of the southern Rocky Mountains.

Matt prepared himself for leadership by participating in a week-long BSA leadership training course called Grey Wolf. He served Troop 507 in five different leadership positions, including Senior Patrol Leader, the highest leadership position a scout can hold in his Troop. 

His leadership skills serve in other areas of his life as well. A four-sport varsity athlete at , Matt is a five-time varsity team captain.

He is a team teacher in Youth Teaching Youth in the elementary schools, and was even an actor in the video they show the students. Matt also serves on the Student Council and leads a group at school called S.A.D.D. (Students Against Destructive Decisions).

He has managed to do all of this while maintaining a 3.858 grade point average at Simley, and a 4.0 at Inver Hills where he is a PSEO student.

"It's all about balance, hard work and dedication to the Scouting program" said Scoutmaster Randy Sampson. "With the support of family and troop members, it can be done. Matt is an excellent example of that and I'm proud to award him the Eagle Rank." 

Matt added: "Planning and executing my Eagle project during football season, and finishing the last of my merit badges during wrestling season, was not easy. I don't recommend doing it that way," Matt said with a smile. "But I had no doubt I'd get it done."  

So where does Matt go from here? He will be attending St. John's University this fall, majoring in Engineering, and has been recruited to play football and wrestle. And I'm certain the Scouting program has not seen the last of him either.