Scout applies experiences to life

Seven years of scouting, will leave a lasting impression on one Green River student.

Christopher "Tom" Schalow joined Green River Boy Scout Troop 312 as a Tiger Cub; and has remained in the scouts ever since.

"I had friends in Cub Scouts and then I just continued through the entire program," Schalow said.

Over the years, Schalow has participated in numerous scouting activities, including city-sponsored cleanup projects and helping senior

citizens move. Regardless of the activity, Schalow was able to learn from the experience.

"My favorite projects were the one's where we really got to go out and get involved in the community, and let people know that we're there," he said.

Determining what to do for his Eagle Scout project, was something Schalow put thought into.

Soon he determined that keeping a tradition at the Green River High School alive, was the project he should complete for his Eagle Scout honor.

"I picked my project because I wanted to help out the high school I was leaving, and it was an extension of another eagle project started at Green River High School," Schalow said. "My project will benefit the community by helping to continue the tradition of the senior walls up at the high school."

There is more to an Eagle Scout project than just showing up to do the work. Schalow had to organize a group to help, create a plan and follow through with that plan.

"By completing this project, I learned a lot about how to make a plan of action, and how to see it through start to finish," he said.

Schalow has been a very active member of Troop 312, serving as patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader and troop guide during his tenure. He also is a Brotherhood Member of the Order of the Arrow. Schalow has spent a semester as an exchange student in Germany, and spent a summer at St. John's Northwestern Military Academy in Wisconsin. He has been very engaged in the service activities of Troop 312, especially flag presentations and the troop's tradition of formation marching.

Schalow graduated in May from GRHS. Schalow was also involved in National Honor's Society; and was a student athletic trainer at the high school.

"Scouts has helped influence me to do Army ROTC during college, and to pursue a career in the Army after college," Schalow said. "Being a scout has taught me a lot about character, and gave me a good set of morals to lean on in life."

Schalow was the recipient of an ROTC scholarship, and will study at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif.

 

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