Scouts
[naviga:h3]Former Cabot scout achieves Eagle rank[/naviga:h3]
Michael Lauer, 17, of Corning, Iowa, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 104 of the Mid-American Council. His court of honor was Feb. 20.
Michael is the son of Rene Lauer and Curtis Lauer of Corning, formerly of Cabot. He is the grandson of Floyd and Pearlie Lauer of Cabot and Lucille and the late Christian Burket Sr., who had served as scoutmaster for multiple years in Valencia.
Michael began his scouting career in Pack 55 of Cabot of the Moraine Trails Council. When he relocated to Iowa in 2007, he joined Pack 124 of Corning, and in spring 2009, he bridged into the Boy Scouts program and joined Troop 104 of Lenox, Iowa.
Michael's Eagle Scout project involved a food and clothing drive to benefit Corning's neighborhood center, Matura Action Corp. The project garnered more than 2000 donated items. Michael completed his board of review for Eagle Scout on Sept. 9, 2015.
Over the years, Michael has performed community services including, replacing flags at parks and cemeteries for Memorial Day, helping with flag retirements and assisting elderly facilities.
Michael has since earned his first Eagle Palm, requiring three months of troop leadership service as well as the earning of an additional five merit badges. He has 29 total badges, and is working on his chess merit badge.
He is already involved in the Southwestern Iowa Community College automotive technology program as part of his high school curriculum and plans to continue his auto tech studies after his graduation from Southwest Valley High School this spring.
<h3>Freeport High senior earns his Eagle</h3>Bradley Timko, 18, of Buffalo Township, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 557 of Sarver. His court of honor was Dec. 8.Bradley is the son of Stephen and Stella Timko of Buffalo Township.Bradley built a fire pit at St. Joseph Church in Cabot. He also built three benches and a picnic table.Bradley has been active in scouting for seven years and has earned 28 total merit badges. He is a member of the Arrow of Light. He has served as a senior patrol leader, patrol leader and assistant senior patrol leader for his troop.Bradley plans to graduate from Freeport High School in June, and he was sworn March 8 into the U.S. Army National Guard. He leaves for basic training July 26.Bradley said he feels prepared for some aspects of the military due to his involvement in scouting.“Scouts has taught me to be a leader, gave me a good direction in life and to respect the nation I live in,” he said.Bradley said his military service will help him in the future, which he hopes will lead to work as a diesel mechanic. He said he plans to attempt Army Ranger school, and is excited to have the opportunity to serve his country.“What urged me to join the military is what's going on in today's world, and I have a lot of family members who were in the military,” he said.
