September 9, 2005

Tim Ulleseit reaches highest Scouting rank

Tim Ulleseit, a junior at Evergreen Valley High School, achieved the rank of Eagle Scout with Troop 296 earlier this year. A national Court of Honor ceremony will be held on his behalf this month.

Tim joined scouting in 1995 as a Wolf Cub Scout. On his road to Eagle Scout, he earned 33 merit badges, each representing different interests and skills. Field sports such as archery, rifle shooting and shotgun shooting were among his favorites, “due to the fact that I seem to be really good at them,” said Tim.

Tim Ulleseit

“Also, one of my other favorite badges was wilderness survival, because we were stranded in the middle of nowhere for a night with half a carrot and half a potato, had to build are own shelter, and had to sleep in the shelter,” he added.

Tim, 16, served in several leadership positions within his troop. He hopes to become a junior assistant scoutmaster for his troop, which meets at Evergreen Valley United Methodist Church.

For his Eagle Project, Tim planned and executed a pancake breakfast fund-raiser at J. F. Smith Elementary School to raise money for benches for the school’s playground.

“After the fund-raiser, we earned upwards of $2,500 and were able to purchase multiple benches for the new school,” said Tim.

Lasting memories
When asked about some of his more memorable scouting experiences, Tim recalled a challenging campout to the
Pinnacles a few years back. While they were sleeping, it rained heavily for hours.

“My friends and I woke up and found a moat of water lining the inside of our tent,” said Tim. “We soon discovered the hole in the tent and were forced to pitch another less faulty tent. After a day of hiking and climbing through dark and wet caves, we returned to camp and the rain ceased for just enough time to cook dinner.

“My patrol, although there was only three of us, decided to cook foil dinners, which were vegetables, meat and seasoning that you wrap in foil and toss into a fire-pit or charcoal,” continued Tim. “When we took the steamy dinners out of the fire, we doused them in barbecue sauce and dug in like starved animals. The warm feeling of a hearty meal cascaded through our tired, beaten bodies and pushed back the cold damp air.

“That was the BEST meal that I have ever had in my life,” he added. “Although at the time it was a challenging trip, I now look back at the experience I had and realize that I would not change any of it. Trips like that form lasting friendships and give you the ability to adapt to what nature throws at you. All in all, sometimes the worst turns out to be the best.”

Valuable lessons
According to Tim, scouting has taught him many valuable lessons that someone can only learn from firsthand experience.

“Of the many skills I have learned in scouting, I value leadership, honor and respect the most,” said Tim. “Scouting has opened an outlet for me to give back to the community and also has given me the opportunity to meet a multitude of people.”

Yet the key benefit he has gained from scouting is brotherhood. “Scouting taught me the power of friendship and how to trust others and help them through difficulties,” he concluded.

Tim is a member of the EVHS Marching Band, Symphonic Band and swim team. Previously, he attended Evergreen Elementary School and Chaboya Middle School.