Dougherty attains Eagle Scout rank; Court of Honor is Sunday

Jacob Dougherty, son of Dave and Brenda Dougherty of Waukon, has achieved Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank of Eagle Scout. Dougherty is a member of Boy Scout Troop 64 under the leadership of John Troendle as scoutmaster and charter organization VFW Post 4117 in Waukon.

This Sunday, February 12 at 2 p.m., Dougherty's Eagle Scout Court of Honor will be held at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Waukon. The community is welcome to attend this ceremony.

Dougherty began his scouting journey as a Cub Scout when he was in third grade with DiAnne Haler as his Cub Scout den leader. After attending an older scout’s Eagle ceremony for the first time, she asked the boys who would like to obtain the Eagle Scout rank. All the boys eagerly raised their hands, except for Dougherty, who honestly replied, “I don’t think I want to do that.” Somewhere along his scouting path he must have changed his mind.

While a Cub Scout he obtained his Arrow of Light. In February 2010, he crossed over to become a Boy Scout in Troop 64 under the leadership of scoutmasters Tim Smith and Joe TeKippe and soon after that, for most of his time, under Shawn Gordon and John Troendle. He attended many camps, badge universities and scouting events to earn his badges. He served as Senior Patrol Leader two times, Patrol Leader, Quartermaster and Troop Guide. He was nominated and received his Order of the Arrow, and has prepared many omelets over the years at the Boy Scouts fall and spring omelet breakfast fundraiser.

One of the final requirements for a Boy Scout with the Life rank is to plan, supervise and execute a service project that is helpful to any religious institution, school or community. Through this experience, Scouts practice what they have learned on their trail to Eagle and gain valuable project management and leadership experience.

When discussing some options for his Eagle Scout project with Scoutmaster Shawn Gordon and Parent Troop Leader Ronda Hansen, it was brought up that Dougherty’s own church wanted to install some security cameras inside and outside of the church. Dougherty was working for Indi-Com Electric and Surveillance, Inc., owned by Brad Winters of Waukon, full-time during the summer months and part-time during the school year, so he had experience with this type of work.

Dougherty visited with Pastor Lynn Groe at St. John’s Lutheran Church about this need and it was decided this would be his Eagle Scout project. He met with Pastor Groe on several different occasions to devise the best plan on camera placement and other equipment that would be needed. Dougherty’s employer, Brad Winters, acted as his mentor for the project. The project was completed by Dougherty with the help of fellow scout Kyle Gordon, and on one occasion a co-worker assisted with the project.

Dougherty is a senior at Waukon High School. As he worked to complete the final requirements of his Eagle Scout Rank, he kept very busy with numerous other activities. Last spring he attended many hours of class to become an EMT, which also required many clinical hours.  In June he tested and passed his National EMT certification test on the first attempt.  He also has been involved in the Waukon High School FFA chapter and competed along with three other teammates at the District, State and National level in the Agronomy contest obtaining championships at both District and State.

For many years Dougherty has been active in the St. John's Lutheran Church youth handbell choir and the Lutheran Youth Organization. He is a member of the Frankville Fire and EMS department. He is employed at Indi-Com Electric & Surveillance and most recently by Veterans Memorial Hospital as an on-call EMT and transfer driver.

Later this month the Boy Scouts from Troop 64 who have received their Eagle Scout Rank this past year will be honored by the Northeast Iowa Boy Scout Council along with other new Eagle Scouts in the state at a formal Eagle Brunch in Dubuque.  Brad Winters of Indi-Com will be sponsoring Dougherty, his parents and scoutmaster at this brunch.

For more information about Scouting in the Northeast Iowa Council, visit the Dellaykee District website at www.scoutsiowa.org/dellaykee-district.