Friedlein becomes Troop 32’s 41st Eagle Scout

By Audrey Posten | Times-Register

On Jan. 4, Stanley Friedlein officially became the 41st Eagle Scout from McGregor’s Troop 32—and first since 2023.  

The rank, which fewer than 5 percent of those who join Scouts ever achieve, was celebrated during an Eagle Court of Honor ceremony at the Driftless Area Wetlands Centre in Marquette.

“Stanley, you’ve worked long and hard through your Scouting career to reach this point. Many have started this trail, but only a few have completed it as you have,” noted Scoutmaster Tom Sinclair.

Joined by fellow leaders Jim Farnsworth and Neil Dodgen, Sinclair congratulated Friedlein on reaching the highest and most coveted award in all of Scouting. He also commended Friedlein on surpassing the 21 required merit badges by at least 10.

“It’s my wish that all the qualities that inspired you to obtain this lofty goal continue to lead you on to even greater success in the future,” Sinclair added.

Attaining Eagle means a lot to Friedlein, whose project included making over 25 bluebird houses. Several are at the Wetlands Centre, but most are along Chicken Ridge Road near Elkader, he said.

Friedlein was inspired to do the project by his grandfather, Robert Staples, who is also an Eagle Scout.

“Nothing had really caught my eye,” he said. “Then I saw my grandpa build a few [bluebird houses] three or four springs ago. I was like, ‘You know what? That might be a good idea.’”

For Friedlein, becoming an Eagle Scout is the culmination of “a lot of hours, a lot of sweat. It shows that, if I can do it, the rest of you Scout troops can do it,” he told the younger troop members. 

He said it means even more to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. “And hopefully my two brothers can, too.”

Although this chapter has come to a close, Friedlein vowed Scouting will continue to impact his life.

“Once you’re a Scout, you’re always a Scout,” he shared.