New ramp a path to Eagle Scout
Project lets Scout follow in family's footsteps
David Wessel of Waukesha, a member of Delafield Scout Troop #20 works on constructing a wheelchair ramp for his Eagle Scout project at the Trinity House in Delafield on Oct. 17. David wanted to make the house handicap accessible for a member of troop #20 who uses a wheelchair and attends Troop meetings at the house. The Trinity House is owned by Christ the King Church, which allows the Scout Troop to use the property for meetings and events. Photo By Scott Ash
David Wessel, a senior at Waukesha North High School, had lots of motivation for spending an entire weekend building a handicap accessible ramp.
First of all, it would be one more hurdle en route to becoming an Eagle Scout, and for him, that would be huge.
"For me to become an Eagle Scout would be amazing. Also I know that my dad would be unbelievably happy to see his son finally become an Eagle Scout and that is all the reason I need to become one," said David.
Besides his father Daryl, his brothers Jim and Chuck were Eagle Scouts from the same troop, Troop 20 in Delafield. David's grandparents, Jim and Joyce Wessel of Delafield, were also very active in the Scout troop and community.
The reason David chose the ramp project was to make the building where the scouts hold their meetings accessible to one of its members who uses a wheelchair, as well as to other wheelchair users. Trinity House at 733 W. Shore Drive in Delafield is on the east side of Christ the King Lutheran Church.
Besides the Scout meetings, the building is also used for various youth programs.
"There have been people from the church that have been wanting to make it handicap accessible for a long time now," said David, who views Scouting as a life-changing experience. "Scouting has changed my life drastically, mainly because I have learned a lot about leadership and how to take action in a time of need, or an emergency."
The leadership and decision making skills should serve David well in his career choice. "My future plans are to go to college for a mechanical engineering degree and eventually work on the leading edge of car development," said David.
David has been fortunate to receive support from Troops 20 and his first troop, Troop 5 of Waukesha, along with Home Depot of Delafield, Panera Bread from Delafield and Pewaukee; Noodles and Company, Delafield; Christ the King Lutheran Church in Delafield and Pizza Hut as well as his family.
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