Breckenridge Texan

By Carla McKeown/Breckenridge Texan

Brother and sister Matthew Wunsch and Magdalynn (Maggie) Wunsch both earned their Eagle Scout rank in the Scouts BSA program by the Boy Scouts of America. They were presented with their Eagle Scout  badges, medals and certificates on Saturday afternoon in front of a crowd that included friends, family, fellow Scouts and community members at First Methodist Church’s Christian Life Center.

Maggie Wunsch, from left, and her brother Matthew Wunsch, along with their father, Matt Wunsch, and Troop 63 Scoutmaster Matt Hise, recite the Eagle Scout Promise during their Eagle Scout ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 24. Click here to see more photos from the event. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

The BSA’s decision to allow girls in the Boy Scout program, which was then renamed Scouts BSA, in 2019, allowed Maggie to join Breckenridge’s Troop 72. Prior to that, she was a member of the local Cub Scout Pack 81, becoming the first girl to join Pack 81 in 2018. After earning the Arrow of Light rank, she became a founding member of Troop 72. She is now the first girl in Breckenridge to earn the Eagle Scout rank.

Maggie’s Eagle Scout project focused on installing two new tables for the outside dining area at Breckenridge High School/Junior High School. She planned out the project and raised the money to purchase and install the tables. Click here to read more about her project.

Matthew Wunsch has been a Scout since 2014 when he joined Pack 81. He became a member of local Scouts BSA Troop 63 at a bridging ceremony in 2020. For his Eagle Scout project, Matthew installed five life-saving safety posts at the swimming and camping area at Hubbard Creek Reservoir to help prevent drownings. Click here to read more about his project.

The Eagle Scout is the highest rank achievable by youth members of Scouts BSA. It requires that the Scout earn at least 21 merit badges and plan, develop and lead an Eagle Scout service project. The project must be approved and must benefit the Scout’s community, religious institution or school. The project also is not allowed to benefit the Scout, the BSA or its councils, troops, etc.

During Saturday’s ceremony, Matt Wunsch, Matthew and Maggie’s father, served as the Master of Ceremonies. He is the Scoutmaster for Troop 72, the advancement chair for Troop 63 and the Cubmaster for Pack 81. Matthew and Maggie’s mother, Meredith Wunsch, as well as their grandparents, Sandy Wunsch and Ed and Terri Miller, and other family members, were also in attendance.

Also helping with the presentation of the Eagle awards was Matt Hise, the Scoutmaster of Troop 63.

Matthew and Maggie each addressed the crowd, discussing what being a Scout has meant to them and thanking those who have helped them in life.

“(My parents) always were pushing me to be the best person I could be,” Matthew said. “Every day before we went to school, my mom always told me to be kind and respectful and show love to everybody that you see. I try my best to do that every day.”

The crowd in attendance at the Eagle Scout ceremony at First Methodist Church’s Christian Life Center, enjoyed a variety of snacks during the event. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

They also acknowledged each other and the influences the other has played in their lives. “If I went to a different universe where, if I was an only child, I’d imagine that … I’d be very depressed, because I cannot imagine a world without him,” Maggie said.

When Matthew and Maggie recited the Eagle Scout Promise, Matt Wunsch invited all of the Eagle Scouts in the audience to join in and rededicate themselves to the program. Six men in the audience stood up and recited the promise with Matthew and Maggie and Matt Wunsch, who is an Eagle Scout, as well.

One of those Eagle Scouts was 80-year-old Dr. Larry Melton, who was Matt Wunsch’s Scoutmaster when he was a Boy Scout in Carrollton.

Meredith Wunsch pinned the Eagle Scout medals on Matthew and Maggie, and Matt Wunsch presented the certificates to the new Eagle Scouts. Additionally, Matthew and Maggie presented Eagle pins to their parents and grandparents. They also honored their mentors — Bobby Goodson, Matthew’s mentor and a camp ranger for the BSA Texas Trails Council; and Izabella McCutchen, Maggie’s mentor and the first female Eagle Scout in Abilene. McCutchen couldn’t be at Saturday’s ceremony.

The Christian Life Center was filled with red, white and blue decorations, as well as lots of eagle insignias. On display were presentations for Matthew and Maggie, displaying their badges, patches and other Scouting awards, as well as letters of recommendations and documentation for their Eagle Scout projects.

As members of the audience enjoyed snacks, Matthew and Maggie mingled with the crowd, thanking everyone for attending and chatting about Scouting and their projects.

Click here to see the Breckenridge Texan’s Photo Gallery from the Eagle Scout ceremony.

Matthew Wunsch’s exhibit included the many badges, patches and other BSA awards he’s earned, as well as information about his Eagle Scout project, letters of recommendation and more. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Maggie Wunsch hugs her cousin, Brinlee Seery, at Maggie’s Eagle Scout ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 24. In the background is Maggie’s display of her Scout badges, patches and other awards, in addition to information about her Eagle Scout project. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)

Cutline, top photo: Meredith and Matt Wunsch, from left, present their children, Maggie and Matthew Wunsch, with certificates at their Eagle Scout ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 24. They also gave them their Eagle Scout medals. Click here to see more photos from the event. (Photo by Tony Pilkington/Breckenridge Texan)