On my honor I will do my best
To do my duty to God and my country
and to obey the Scout Law;
To help other people at all times;
To keep myself physically strong,
mentally awake, and morally straight
-Scout Oath
Thomas Jefferson Junior Christian Ulrickson exemplifies Scouts honor and initiative, and has proven that he is worthy of respect and appreciation in his community. On February 21st Christian was honored with the prestigious title of Eagle Scout after the completion of a sock and toiletry drive for Urban Peak Youth Shelter for the Homeless, just one of the many requirements necessary to receive the rank of Eagle Scout.
To reach the Eagle Scout status a Boy Scout must be a Life Scout for over six months, receive 21 merit badges, develop and lead a service project, and attend a Scoutmaster conference all before his 18th birthday. Once all that has been completed (no easy task), he must stand before the Eagle Scout Board of review and have his past leadership, courage, and other qualities and accomplishments evaluated.
Ulrickson (who has been involved with the Scouts continuously since the first grade) passed with flying colors. Christian describes his Eagle Project as being one of the most significant activities of his Scout career. “I had spent a lot of time thinking about what I wanted to do. When I decided I wanted to help Urban Peak, I gave them a call to see what they needed, ” said Ulrickson. “Once I found out it was toiletries and socks, I called up the troop (376) and put together a group of people who could help.”
With his men gathered, Christian and his troops marched up to the parking lot of a nearby Sam’s Club, hung posters asking for the help of customers, and stationed themselves near the doors. With a bit of prodding, the kindness of Sam’s Club shoppers, and his troops’ endurance, Christian produced enough goods for the homeless teens at the shelter. Christian explained, “This was really important to me because I myself am a young person and I know what it’s like to be without. ”
Christian cites his teachers and parents as being his inspiration for his success by providing good advice and instruction, and for supporting all his efforts.
Jon Poole, Christian’s AP Government teacher and nominator for this Spartan of the Week award, had this to say: ” Chris has a lot of unrecognized talent; one for achieving Eagle Scout status, and two for being on the debate team. He is doing so many amazing things that we don’t recognize as much as we really should.”
Christian aspires to be a scientist and accordingly looks to Sir Isaac Newton as a role model. Besides his Scouts involvement, Christian is one of TJ’s top debaters on the school’s Debate Team (winning the city finals and a trip to Chicago just last weekend), and he enjoys building things, playing video games, being in Mr. Vore’s Physics class, and hanging out with friends.
Christian Ulrickson shines among the many and soars far above the rest. His commitment to the community, his integrity, and his honor prove him to be among TJ’s finest and we are thrilled to bestow upon him the title of Spartan of the Week.
