Isaac (Ike) Spychalla became the latest Eagle Scout from the area when he passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review and officially became an Eagle Scout, Jan. 26, 2025.

Ike, the son of Tom and Amy Spychalla, celebrated his Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony, Sunday, June 22 at the Glenwood Lutheran Church, along with his parents, Scoutmaster Ginger Erickson, and mentors Mike Morton and Blaine Pederson, as well as members of Troop 423 and family and friends.

Spychalla has been in Scouts since 2014 when he was in kindergarten.

He’s had many leaders throughout the years, including his dad, who led the den for several years.  One memorable moment from those early Scouting years was in 2015 when Ike won first place in the Pinewood Derby as a Tiger Cub.  He and his dad worked many hours getting the car exactly right, according to his mother.

He earned his Arrow of Light (AOL) honor February 21, 2019 when he was 11 years old.  Leaders at that time were Quinn Jacobs (Den leader) and Sara Maasjo (Cubmaster).

He originally planned to end his scouting career at that time, but after attending a Boy Scout meeting (which was a last requirement for the AOL award), he changed his mind.

According to his mother, Mike Morton (Scoutmaster at the time) ran the meeting and after talking about Boys Scouts, scholarship opportunities for Eagle Scouts and showing a video of the fun adventure to come, Ike whispered to his mom, ‘I’m in.’

And so, the adventure continued for him.

Ike and Troop 423 have done a lot of memorable and worthwhile community projects and fundraisers over the years, including ditch clean-up, helping  with the installation/removal of docks, aluminum can collection, Food Shelf donations, serving at the Starbuck Depot Thursday Night on the Town, assisting with VFW steak feeds, participating in Waterama parades and food stands, as well as service projects in Medora, ND.

Living in Starbuck, Ike has always enjoyed the Starbuck Depot Museums and was even able to work one summer helping with assorted jobs.

Those memories were instrumental to him when it came time to brainstorm possible Eagle Scout project ideas.  Ike visited with Blaine Pederson, who is very active with the Starbuck Depot Society and quite involved with Scouts in the past (both he and his son, Andrew, are Eagle Scouts).

And thus, Ike took on a Depot Shed remodeling project that encompassed many phases, including cleaning up the Depot shed, painting, landscaping and building new water distribution housing.  Ike and his crew of Scouts, family and friends completed his Eagle Scout Project, Sept. 15, 2024 at the age of 16.

“He had a wonderful group of Scouts, leaders, family and friends who helped him complete his project and provide encouragement throughout his entire Scouting journey,” his mother said.

He passed his Eagle Scout Board of Review, Jan. 26 with his parents and Scoutmaster by his side.  At that time, he was presented with a commemorative coin which read “Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle.”

Six months later, he celebrated his Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony and Ginger Erickson highlighted his trail to becoming an Eagle Scout.  Mike Morton and Blaine Pederson were also in attendance that day and Ike presented them each with a mentor pin.

For a little history, Troop 123 (now 423) of Glenwood began in 1956.  Steve Bodeker is an Eagle Scout (1981) and remains an active leader in the troop to this day.  The last Eagle Scout from Troop 423/123 was six years ago when Henry Foner earned the designation in 2019.

Ike is thankful to everyone who helped him become an Eagle Scout and to everyone who has supported Troop 423 over the years.

Check out more photos in our photo gallery!