Sam Opperman achieves rank of Eagle Scout

[June 05, 2012]  Sam Opperman, a junior at Lincoln Community High School, has achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with Lincoln Boy Scout Troop 1102. He was honored at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor May 12 at Zion Lutheran Church.

Scoutmaster Robert Cox presented Sam with his Eagle Badge, and Cpl. James Harnacke of the Marine Corps League presented him with the Good Citizenship Award during the Court of Honor.

Sam joined the Scouting program in first grade as a Tiger Cub. He continued in Cub Scouts, then Boy Scouts, where he earned 45 merit badges on his way to Eagle Scout.

Sam completed his Eagle service project at Zion Lutheran School. Through the generosity of the members of Zion Lutheran Church, school and the Lincoln community, Sam led his troop in landscaping the entrance to the school, assembling and mounting two heavy-gauge steel benches, and mounting a cross salvaged during the renovation of Zion Lutheran Church. The troop also mounted two outdoor basketball poles, backboards and hoops.

Sam has participated in the National Youth Leadership training at Ingersoll Scout Reservation, served in numerous leadership roles for his troop, backpacked through the mountains of the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico and the mountains of the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch in Colorado. He has also walked from New Salem to Springfield six times with his troop during the Lincoln Pilgrimage. He also received the Order of the Arrow, reaching Brotherhood designation.

Samuel is the son of David and Stephanie Opperman of Lincoln. His grandparents are Ruth Opperman and the late George V. Opperman of Lincoln and Bobetta Kolbus and the late Raymond Kolbus of Normal.