Contact: Dolores (Mohr) Kenyon
E-mail: dolores@wiclarkcountyhistory.org
Surnames: John, Shoemaker, Slenczka
----Source: Clark County Press (Neillsville, Clark Co., WI) 6/16/2021
Nolan John Earns President’s Eagle Award (Nolan John – 2020)
Nolan John Earns President’s Eagle Award
Neillsville’s Nolan John recently received the President’s Eagle Award,
which is given to one Eagle Scout in the Chippewa Valley Council each year.
Submitted photos
By Valorie Brecht
Becoming an Eagle Scout is a distinct accomplishment, as only eight percent of Boy Scouts of America (BSA) members earn the rank, But Neillsville’s Nolan John not only achieved the rank of Eagle Scout; he also was chosen out of all Eagle Scouts in his council to receive an award.
John recently received the President’s Eagle Award. Thirty-eight scouts in the Chippewa Valley Council completed their Eagle Scout project in 2020. Pout of those 38, John was chosen.
“It’s awesome because on a one-in-40 chance is pretty significant,” said John, who just finished his junior year of high school.
The President’s Eagle Award is given to an exemplary Eagle Scout. Selection criteria include the scope of the scout’s Eagle Project and their involvement in scouting, school, church and the community.
“The goal is to have the most well-rounded Eagle,” said Nick Shoemaker, National Eagle Scout Association committee member. The Chippewa Valley is a part encompassing a large portion of west-central Wisconsin, stretching as far north as Hayward and as far south as Osseo. At its widest portion, the council extends from west of Menomonie to Abbotsford.
There are three districts in the council. The Neillsville troop is a part of the Clear Water District, which also includes Altoona, Augusta, Eau Claire, Fall Creek, Granton, Greenwood and Loyal. Each district has an advancement committee that nominates an Eagle Scout for the President’s Eagle Award. The nominations are then reviewed by the council’s selection committee, which makes the decision along with the council president.
There are several criteria that go into selecting the award recipient. For one, the selection committee looks at the nominee’s Eagle Scout project and how complex it was, the leadership shown in completing the p[project and how beneficial it will be to the community.
For his project, John re-did the lighting at the WCCN’s Wisconsin Pavilion from the 1964 World’s Fair. He removed and replaced all the lights surrounding the building, as well as much of the interior lighting.
Nolan John updated the lighting at WCCN’s Wisconsin Pavilion in Neillsville for his Eagle Scout Project.
“A friend of mine owns the building and he was going to do it anyway, so we decided to spice it up, and make it an Eagle Scout project,” said John. “It looks better at night now.”
Neillsville’s historic preservation commission served as the project beneficiary. Before doing the project, John had to file for a permit from the national Parks service because the pavilion is on the National Register of Historic Places. The project itself took about 28 hours total, with John putting in 13 hours himself. He completed the project in November.
To earn his Eagle Scout rank, John also had to earn a minimum of 21 merit badges. John completed 26. He also had to demonstrate personal development, character and leadership; and be an active member in his troop.
“They earn it [the rank of Eagle Scout]; we don’t just give it to them,” said Glenn Slenczka.
He said John was thorough and always made sure he fully met the requirements for Eagle Scout.
“For example, one of the requirements was a five-mile hike. At summer camp, Nolan went on a three-and-a-half mile hike, and he was worried he didn’t get it because of that,” said Slenczka.
The selection committee for the President’s Eagle Award also looked at how active John has been in scouting. John has done a lot of volunteering through BSA, including performing upkeep on veterans’ graves and at The Highground, raking leaves in the fall for elderly people and collecting food for the food pantry. He also has participated in camps and trips.
Finally, the selection committee considered John’s academic standing and the activities in which he participates. John is a two-time academic award letter recipient. He learned about government as a Wisconsin State Senate Scholar. He is involved in several extracurricular activities, including FFA, golf and student council. John works for WCCN as part of the broadcasting team, putting in about 25 ho0rus a week during the school year.
“Everything I’ve done outside of school and in scouts all contributed to getting this Award,” said John.
John was honored with the President’s Eagle Award at a ceremony May 25, at Camp Brunswick in Eau Claire.
John has been in Scouts since he was in first grade first in Cub Scouts and the past seven years in Boy Scouts. He has continued a family legacy with his scouting accomplishments, as his dad also earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
