On an evening when three members of Philomath-based Troop 161 received their Eagle Scout badges, Tanner Dowless, Thomas Smith and Owen Thomas could relax and celebrate with friends and family, shake hands with the organization’s leadership and perhaps even reflect on a long journey toward a rare achievement.
The trio, all graduated with Philomath High’s Class of 2024, took the Eagle Scout pledge as part of a Court of Honor ceremony led by Scoutmaster Tom Klipfel on Sept. 11 at Peace Lutheran Church.
Gallery: Eagle Scout Court of Honor (Sept. 11, 2024)
A collection of photos from the Philomath Troop 161 Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony at Peace Lutheran Church on Sept. 11.
“It really didn’t become a goal until I was probably in the seventh or eighth grade and I realized the value of earning the Eagle,” said Smith, son of Tim and Lisle Smith. “At first, it was just something fun to do but as I went on, people talked about it more and more and it really became important for me. I’m very proud that I made it the whole way and that I stuck with it.”
Dowless, son of Carl and Kerri Dowless, said he values the learning experiences that he received through the scout program from developing leadership skills to building friendships to gaining work experience.
“My uncle’s an Eagle Scout so he was kind of pushing me when I was younger; he was like ‘you should do it, it was really fun, you should try it,’” Dowless said. “And I’m really, really glad that I did. I’ve made some really good friends. Overall, I’d say it’s a really good program for anybody to go through.”
Thomas, son of Bill and Heidi Thomas, said all of his years in scouting have meant a lot in his life.
“I think it’s given me a good set of instructions to pursue different goals,” he said. “I’d say there’s a lot of virtues that come with scouting and that’s really important later on in life — just building character.”
In the Boy Scouts of America, a Court of Honor ceremony formally recognizes and honors those who have achieved specific ranks or earned awards. In addition to Klipfel, others participating in the formalities were David Novak, committee chair; Carl Dowless, committee assistant scoutmaster; Mike Novak, senior patrol leader who led the flag ceremony; and Liam Bennett, chaplain’s aide who handled the invocation and benediction.
Following the ceremony, those in attendance enjoyed a slide show presentation.
Along the way toward Eagle Scout status, candidates must complete a project that illustrates the ability to plan, develop and lead in service to “any religious institution, any school or your community,” according to the organization’s publication on Eagle Scout service projects.
The three Eagle Scouts earning their badge covered all three of those areas — Smith worked in service to a Corvallis church, Dowless completed a project to benefit a school and Thomas contributed to the betterment of a community park.
Smith’s project — which involved nearly 40 hours of work — was an improved sign at Zion Lutheran Church in Corvallis.
“I completely tore the sign down and rebuilt it,” Smith said about the 14-foot long sign. “My boss at the time helped me mill up the boards, routed it out, painted it and put it up.”
Smith said he’s taking a gap year and currently working before embarking on any plans for continuing his education. This summer, he went on a solo cross-country road trip on Highway 20 from Newport to Boston.
Dowless and his crew of volunteers put up an outdoor teaching kiosk in the Philomath Elementary School courtyard. Thomas and his group of volunteers constructed a raised flower bed at the new Paul J. Cochran Veterans Memorial Park.
Dowless and Thomas both have plans to further their educations with Dowless at Linn-Benton Community College to enter the heavy equipment and diesel technology program and Thomas at Oregon State University to major in bio-health sciences.
Dowless said the biggest thing that he’ll take away from the scouts is developing skills in areas such as leadership and problem solving. Plus, there were a lot of fun experiences.
“I mean, you get into camping twice a month for seven years … and we try to do at least one activity besides a meeting three times a month,” Dowless said. “Whitewater rafting, trampoline park — all that kind of stuff.”
Smith said he enjoyed most the people that he’s been able to meet through scouting, as well going through the program with his best friend.
“It’s been an honor to be a part of this troop,” Smith said. “And I’m still a part of it, I can always come back and see the Philomath friends that I’ve made.”
Thomas also mentioned relationships and fun activities.
“The trips are definitely really, really fun but I think it’s been great to know some of the people in scouts as well and really get to know these people,” Thomas said. “It’s really nice to have another avenue to make new friends and maintain relationships for the future.”
