Goetz receives highest Boy Scouts rank with Eagle Scout

Brady Goetz of Fontanelle is one of only 1% of Boy Scouts who reach the rank of Eagle Scout.

Goetz received his new rank — the highest that anyone can receive in the organization — in a ceremony Sunday, April 24 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Greenfield, surrounded by friends and family who cheered him on to reach this point.

As part of reaching the rank of Eagle, a Boy Scout must plan and carry out a project that demonstrates leadership qualities and benefits their community in a positive manner. Goetz chose to build a can redemption point to be placed at Lake Orient Recreation Area.

Goetz thanked his parents, his Boy Scout mentor Eldon Mullin, his religious mentors Jerry and Kristen Walker, and Conservation Director Dominic Johnson for their varied roles in him completing his project.

Rev. Dr. Keith Schweitzer, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, presided over the start of the ceremony.

Schweitzer earned his Eagle Scout rank 50 years ago this year and wore a shirt to Goetz’s ceremony that he recently purchased to commemorate that anniversary. Schweitzer regularly helps with activities of the local Boy Scouts and Troop 115, of which Goetz is a part of. Scout Master is Jeremy Rohner.

“What I will say to Brady and everybody else is that I can tell you with 50 years experience, that the accomplishment of an Eagle Scout will serve you well your entire life,” Schweitzer said. “Every job application, every resume, everything in which you wish to pursue, you can always write that and it will always impress. It shows a couple of things: determination, and that you stuck with it; and that you did what had to be done in order to accomplish this wonderful milestone. It also shows your leadership, which is something that is very much in need in young people. This is indeed a very, very important occasion.”

During the ceremony, Goetz pinned a mother’s pin on his mother, Dianna Goetz, and his father, Jeremy Goetz. He also gave a pin to Mullin.

Also present were Goetz’s stepdad Jeremiah Martin, his cousin Maverick Schultz and brothers Ayden and Carter Goetz.

“This means a lot to me. It means I’ve accomplished a lot of leadership, have gained a lot of life skills and have learned a lot of things,” Goetz said after the ceremony. “I have a lot of people to thank. My mom, especially.”

Goetz has an emblem he will wear on his sash showing that he is an Eagle Scout. Also, he has a patch he can wear on his uniform without the sash that designates him as an Eagle Scout.