Polson scout earns prestigious award
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POLSON – Makiy Tamcke was all smiles Wednesday at the Polson fairgrounds as he was presented the most prized medal a boy scout can earn. More than 30 friends, family, and fellow scouts came out to the fairgrounds to show their support.
Tamcke was presented with the prestigious Eagle Scout award, an honor achieved by only two percent of boy scouts in the United States.
To become an Eagle Scout, a scout must earn 21 merit badges, and complete a public service project that they plan, develop, and lead on their own. Scouts have until their 18th birthday to reach this goal.
Merit badges are earned by completing specific requirements and activities in an area of study.
Tamcke recently completed his Eagle Scout project, which consisted of building 12 picnic tables for the Polson fairgrounds. Of the 12 tables, he constructed four to accommodate handicapped individuals.
The tables were put to their first use by Rodeo Bible Camp participants last weekend.
“It feels really good to finally get this award,” Tamcke said. “This was part of a personal achievement I had set for myself, but I had a lot of help from others.”
Even with help from others, it took Tamcke approximately 82 hours to construct the 12 tables.
“I’ve done construction in the past, but I’ve never built a table before,” Tamcke said to the audience during the ceremony.
To thank the people who helped him along his journey to Eagle Scout, Tamcke weaved bracelets out of 20 feet of parachute cords and attached a whistle to each for added flare.
“It can save your life,” he said with a smile.
Proud father Dean Tamcke has spent long hours helping his son with scout activities throughout the years.
“It was a long road for him to get here,” Dean said. “It’s one heck of an accomplishment.”
According to Scoutmaster Ross Harbin, the local scout program has had at least one new Eagle Scout a year.
“It’s been awesome,” Harbin said. “My goal as a scoutmaster is to get each of them prepared to meet the outside world. To reach Eagle Scout requires hard work and dedication, which reflects on his parents and the troop.”
