Eagle Scout completes big project

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Brian Tallman built a recycling shed for Kinnickinnic Township for his Eagle Scout project.

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After a storm blew away the recycling shed in Kinnickinnic Township last year, Brian Tallman decided to build a new one.

Tallman was on his way to becoming an Eagle Scout with that project. Now, a year later, Tallman was awarded with his Eagle Scout ranking at a ceremony on Saturday in River Falls.

Joining him were State Sen. Sheila Harsdorf and Rep. John Murtha along with family and friends. Along with his Scout award, Tallman received a certificate from Kinnickinnic Township Chairman Roger Van Beek for his work on the recycling center.

As a resident of the Town of Kinnickinnic, Tallman said he approached the town board to see if they had any projects in mind that he could do in the summer of 2007.

About a week later, a storm with high, straight-line winds blew away the town’s recycling shed at the corner of Highway 65 and Townhall Drive.

“It was crushed,” said town clerk Lola Higgins. “His (Brian’s) timing couldn’t have been better.”

Constructing a new building sounded like the type of project Tallman talked about at the recent meeting, so they approached him about it.

Tallman accepted and the town never regretted it.

“It was really a delight working with him. He kept the board up to date on the progress,” Higgins said. Tallman also drafted plans and a materials list.

Tallman brought the project in under budget and meeting the town’s specifications.

Engineering and CAD designing is something he enjoys doing, Tallman said. The St. Croix Central senior said he’d like to pursue an engineering career, but hasn’t decided on a college yet.

Becoming an Eagle Scout took much more time, effort and work than building a recycling shed.

First, Tallman had to patrol and be active in his troop for at least six months as a Life Scout while undertaking responsibilities within the troop. He demonstrated Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in his everyday life.

Tallman needed to earn a total of 21 merit badges, take part in a Scoutmaster conference and complete the Eagle Scout Board of Review.

Most noticeably to those outside the Scouting organization is the service project, which the Scout must plan, develop, lead and raise funds for.

Reaching Eagle Scout rank is something he’s wanted since he joined Tiger Scout Troop 197 in St. Paul, he said. Tallman has been a member of Troop 161 of Hammond and Roberts since moving to the area in elementary school.

“I knew from when he was a Cub Scout that he’d be an Eagle Scout,” said Laura Tallman, Brian’s mom. “He always wanted to earn the badges.”

Brian said he enjoys the outdoors and social aspects of Boy Scouts.

“It’s fun hanging out with people, going camping and being outdoors,” he said. “You get to know a lot of people and are really involved with the community.”

Just because Brain has attained the highest rank of Boy Scouts, doesn’t mean he’s finished with the organization.

“I’d love to lead a troop,” he said, smiling.

Tags: eagle scout, communities, roberts