Paul Ruetten earns Eagle rank

Paul Ruetten, a member of Troop 16 chartered at Federated Church in Sycamore, was recently awarded the Eagle rank, the highest award achievable in Boy Scouts. He is the son of Drs. Tim and Cathy Ruetten of Sycamore.

Ruetten began his scouting journey in first grade in Cub Scout Pack 140. He earned all five Cub Scout ranks and the Arrow of Light. He continued his trail to Eagle with Boy Scout Troop 16 serving as patrol leader, troop quartermaster and assistant senior patrol leader. He was active in numerous campouts, troop activities and service projects. He attended Tomahawk Scout Reservation and Tesomas Scout Camp and he enjoyed two High Adventure experiences including the Boundary Waters and Philmont Scout Ranch in 2016. Ruetten was inducted into the Order of the Arrow in 2015 and he earned 26 merit badges.

A student for 11 years at St. Mary’s School in Sycamore, Ruetten wanted his Eagle project to help the school. He built an 8-by-10-foot storage shed at the school to store playground equipment.

Ruetten held his formal ceremony and was awarded the Eagle rank along with his twin brother and four other scouts who also achieved the rank this past fall at Federated Church in Sycamore.

Ruetten is a freshman at Sycamore High School and a member of the SHS cross country and track team, the DeKalb-Sycamore High School Co-Op Swim Team and the DeKalb County Swim Team. He will continue to be active in Troop 16 and plans to attend college with a goal of becoming a surgeon. He also hopes to compete in an Ironman Triathlon before he graduates college.