Post Messenger Recorder -

Theodore (Theo) Rauch of Ripon, grandson of Emil (Mike) Rufener of rural Monticello and the late JoAnne Rufener, was awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor held at St. Catherine of Siena Parish in Ripon on Saturday, November 11. He is a member of Ripon Boy Scout Troop 735.

The Eagle Scout is Boy Scouting's highest rank advancement. Since the inception of the Eagle Scout award in 1912, 2.01 percent of eligible Scouts have earned Scouting's highest honor.

In order to earn the Eagle Scout rank, a Boy Scout must have earned the Boy Scout ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, and Life, be active in his troop for at least six months as a Life Scout, demonstrate Scout Spirit by living the Scout Oath and Scout Law, earn a total of 21 merit badges, 13 of which are required, serve actively in his troop in a leadership position for six months, and plan, develop, and give leadership to others in an approved service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. After completion of the service project and a comprehensive report of the project, the Boy Scout participates in a Board of Review consisting of Scout and community leaders. The Board of Review date is the official date of becoming an Eagle Scout. The rank is awarded at the official Court of Honor.

For his Eagle Scout Service project, Theo led a team of fellow Ripon Troop 735 Scouts in building and installing bookshelves at the Ripon Public Library. The bookshelves are used by the "Friends of the Library" to display used books for sale. Proceeds from the sales of the used books are put back into special programs at the library.

Theo completed a total of 37 merit badges, 16 beyond the 21 necessary to earn the Eagle Scout Rank. This made him eligible to receive an Eagle Palm for each five additional merit badges that he completed before his Eagle Scout Board of Review, which was September 19. Therefore, he also earned the Bronze, Gold, and Silver Eagle Palms, which were also awarded at the Eagle Scout Court of Honor. Earning all three Eagle Palms is even rarer for Boy Scouts than earning the Eagle Scout Rank.

Theo's path to Eagle started in 2008 as a first grader when he joined Ripon Cub Scout Pack 3735 as a Tiger Scout. He progressed through the Wolf, Bear, and Webelos ranks. He also earned the Light of Christ Religious Medal. And on February 26, 2013, Theo achieved the Arrow of Light, the highest award in Cub Scouts.

Theo is currently a sophomore at Ripon High School (RHS) where he is active in Student Council/Class Officer, Key Club, Spanish Club, ACTIVO, and FBLA where he currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer. He is also on the soccer and tennis teams, earning his Varsity letter as a freshman. Theo also plays Euphonium in the concert band and saxophone and trumpet in the pep band. In April of 2017, Theo traveled to China with the RHS Band and Choir to perform at Ripon's sister schools. He also takes piano lessons.

Outside of Scouts and RHS, Theo is an Acolyte at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. Theo has earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in Karate. He is a volunteer member of Teen Court for Fond du Lac County. This past summer, he volunteered over 30 hours at the Ripon Medical Center. He is an avid downhill skier and loves to travel. Theo has traveled to 36 states. Besides China, Theo traveled to France through the French Adventure Program and will be traveling to Costa Rica with Spanish Club in the summer of 2018.

Theo would like to attend a large university or possibly a military academy after high school and eventually become an Orthopedic Surgeon.

Theo's parents are Jayne (Rufener) and Dr. Chris Rauch of Ripon.