Ten Le Mars scouts honored with Pope Pius XII emblem

(Photo contributed) Scouts Mitchel Christoffel and Preston Freking visit with residents at Park Place Estates in Le Mars at a May gathering, sharing about their camping experiences. The scouts were part of a 10-member group that pursued the Pope Pius XII Emblem together. Their special event at Park Place was one step toward the honor, which they were recognized for Sunday. [Click to enlarge]

Ten local boys will be receiving the highest emblem in Catholic boy scouting.

Michael Brandenburg, Tim Burwitz, Mitchel Christoffel, Preston Freking, Matt Klein, Kyle Mangerson, Zack Nemmers, Jonathan Puhl, Ryan Sitzmann and Andrew Theisen were honored Sunday at a Mass in Le Mars for earning the Pope Pius XII Emblem.

Named after the pope that lead Catholic efforts to protect Jews during World War II, the emblem is not earned by scouts learning to tie knots or building a perfect campfire.

(Photo contributed) The 10 scouts pursuing the Pope Pius XII Emblem were honored Sunday at a Mass in Le Mars. The emblem is the highest honor in Catholic scouting. Front: Michael Brandenburg, Tim Burwitz, Ryan Sitzmann, Zach Nemmers. Middle: Matt Klein, Andrew Theisen, Preston Freking, Mitchel Christoffel. Back: Kyle Mangerson, Jonathan Puhl, Father Kevin Richter [Click to enlarge]

To earn the emblem, scouts spend about one year learning about life choices and who they want to be as adults.

"The medal makes them look at three choices: do they want to be married, be single and be part of the community or join religious life," explained one of the advisors, Lisa Christoffel. "We also went into different occupations and looked at how your occupation involves your faith."

The boys and their advisors, Dan and Sue Brandenburg, Dean and Lisa Christoffel and Mary Ann Mangerson, met every other Sunday night starting in October 2008.

(Photo contributed) The 10 scouts completing the Pope Pius XII program host a "Camporee" at Park Place Estates. They helped residents paint a flower pot and plant flowers at the May event. The scouts were honored Sunday for completing the program. [Click to enlarge]

"I decided to do it because I thought it would be fun and I got to learn about my faith," said Zack Nemmers, a sophomore at Le Mars Community Schools. "The group made things interesting -- we always have fun with each other."

They discussed topics ranging from what commitment means to why certain jobs are appealing.

"We got into discussions about things happening in the community or in their lives," Sue Brandenburg said.

On their own time, the scouts each researched where their career path might lead them, ways they could be involved as a volunteer and perspectives on community issues.

Nemmers interviewed a small animal veterinarian, a career he's interested in pursuing.

"I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to do and this strengthened it," Nemmers said.

Together, the group planned and hosted a seven-hour "camporee" at assisted living center Park Place Estates in May 2009, creating a day of fun and learning about scout activities and hobbies.

The scouts set up a campsite outside Park Place and invited residents to walk through.

"We demonstrated how we make our dinners and showed what we do whenever we go camping," Zemmers explained.

Scouts also led a craft, painting flower pots and planting a flower, and hosted a talent show with singing, juggling and more.

For a special treat, the scouts cooked up apple cobbler, cherry cobbler and s'mores for dessert and shared them with Park Place residents.

"Some of them hadn't had a roasted marshmallow for years," Christoffel said.

Scouts also spent time visiting with the residents.

"I got to talk to a lot of older people and see what they did in life," Nemmers said. "One of them was a Vietnam veteran. All of his stories were just interesting to listen to."

The day was a hit, the group agreed.

"The residents had a lot of fun," Brandenburg said. "Some are still talking about it."

The scouts have completed the program, but they have yet to receive the actual Pope Pius XII emblem -- a bronze shield hanging on a ribbon of yellow and white, the pope's colors.

Bishop R. Walker Nickless, of the Sioux City Diocese, will present the medals March 20 in a special ceremony at the Cathedral in Sioux City.

The scouts will walk away from the program with more than a medal, the advisors agreed.

"I saw them having a voice, gaining confidence, realizing their opinion matters," Christoffel said. "They also found some direction in choices for their lives, not superficial but deep thinking about their future."

Nemmers said he learned he has a long ways to go in faith to fully understand what it means to him.

Earning the Pope Pius XII Emblem was a long process but a good one, he said.

"It gave us a chance to actually think about what you're go to do with life," Nemmers said. "It was worth going through."