Woodbury — BSA Troop 9005 of Woodbury proudly announces the recognition of Riley Symicek from Cottage Grove as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Scout of the Year for the State of Minnesota.
On April 3, the Cottage Grove VFW Post 8752 selected Riley Symicek as the Scout of the Year. VFW Post 8752 forwarded Symicek’s nomination to the VFW Minnesota District 4, which includes VFW Posts in Saint Paul and the east metro area for the district-level competition.
On April 8, VFW Minnesota District 4 Committee selected Symicek as the District 4 VFW Scout of the Year. District 4 VFW advanced his nomination to Department of Minnesota VFW Committee for state-level judging.
On April 24, the Minnesota VFW State Scouting Committee selected Symicek as the Scout of the Year Award Recipient for 2024! This honor will be celebrated and presented to Symicek during the MN VFW Annual State Convention Joint Award Ceremony on June 14, 2024, in Rochester, Minn. Furthermore, his application will now be forwarded to the National VFW Competition, where he will be in the running for the prestigious title of the 2024 VFW National Scout of the Year.
The VFW Scout of the Year program annually honors individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, service, and citizenship. Symicek's dedication to these principles, through his school participation, scouting and community service records as well as his remarkable Eagle Scout project, have earned him this prestigious recognition.
Symicek's Eagle Scout project showcased his commitment to making a positive impact in his community. By raising funds to purchase backpacks and personal care items for the patrons of the Listening House Homeless Day Program in St. Paul, he directly contributed to supporting individuals in need. He distributed 60 backpacks, embodying the spirit of service and compassion that defines the scouting movement.
Riley is a senior at Park High School in Cottage Grove. He plans to attend Hamline University in St Paul in the fall to pursue a degree in Computer Data Science. He hopes to find a world problem and solve it with data.
The VFW Scout of the Year program recognizes individuals who have received the Eagle Scout Award, Girl Scout Gold Award, Venture Summit Award, or Sea Scout Quartermaster Award. Eligible candidates must also be registered, active members of a Boy or Girl Scout Troop, Venturing Crew, or Sea Scout Ship, and have demonstrated exemplary citizenship in school, scouting, and the community.
Cottage Grove VFW Post 8752 and BSA Troop 9005 extend their heartfelt congratulations to Symicek for his outstanding achievement and thank him for his dedication to scouting, community service, and the values of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
For more information about VFW Scout of the Year program which provides members of the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to be recognized for their standout citizenship, patriotism and love of country contact Cheryl Burton at officemanager@vfwmn.us.
For more information about BSA Troop 9005 and its commitment to youth development and community service, please contact Steve Addington at info.troop5woodbury@twh.email.
