Pictured, from left, Commissioner Vice-President Cary Groninger, President Bob Conley, Owen Wolferman, Evan Wolferman, Hunter Hlutke and Commissioner Brad Jackson.

KOSCIUSKO — The Kosciusko County commissioners honored three young men who achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at the commissioner meeting this morning, Tuesday, Jan. 23.

Brothers Owen Wolferman, North Webster, a senior at Wawasee High School, and Evan Wolferman, North Webster, a junior at Wawasee High School, along with Hunter Hlutke, North Webster, a senior at Wawasee High School, each received a plaque from the commissioners. All three are members of Boy Scout Troop 726 in North Webster.

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouts of America program. Only four percent of boy scouts are granted this rank and only after a lengthy review process.

Hlutke spoke about the encouragement he had received from friends, his parents and his scoutmaster, Scott Fox.

“Without those people I don’t think I would have achieved this,” Hlutke said.

“You have to move through all of the ranks to achieve the Eagle Scout honor. You have to do a required number of service hours, earn merit badges and complete a board-approved community project, that will benefit your community in some way,” said Hlutke, whose project included painting bathrooms and showers at the North Webster Community Center, which were in need of repair. Hlutke said he would strongly encourage other boy scouts to pursue the Eagle Scout rank.

Hlutke’s parents are Glenn and Jennifer Hlutke. Chris and Lani Wolferman are the parents of Evan and Owen.

Kosciusko Commissioner President Bob Conley described the young men as “future leaders of our community” and informed them that former president Gerald Ford had been an Eagle Scout.

“He was a class act and so are you guys,” said Conley.