SOLON — Six Solon teens – Eli Richardson, Grant Bumsted, Zeb Kleinsmith, Landon Shive, Matt Tvedte, and Jack Rekers have joined, or are in the process of joining, the elite ranks of the Eagle Scouts.
While Scouting was organized in the early 1900s in England by Robert Baden-Powell the rank of Eagle Scout wasn’t initially included when the movement came to America. Entry-level Scouts were known as “Tenderfoot” before working toward “Second Class,” and finally “First Class.” Merit badges were introduced as a way to provide Scouts with more specific knowledge and training, leading to over 135 such badges available today. In addition, advanced ranks of “Star” and “Life” were added as well as the highest rank – Eagle Scout.
The Solon Economist has been highlighting each of the six individually with this week’s final feature on Zeb Kleinsmith. Eli Richardson was featured March 2, Matt Tvedte was featured March 9, and Jack Rekers was in the March 16 edition, Landon Shive was featured March 23, and Grant Bumsted was profiled last week (March 30).
Kleinsmith is an 18-year old senior and the son of Hal and Deanna Kleinsmith. He’s been in Scouting for a dozen years. “My dad was the Cub Master and my older brother was in Scouts,” he said. In addition to earning the rank of Eagle Scout, he has been the Senior Patrol Leader, recently finished being an Assistant Den Leader for the Arrow of Light Cub Scouts helping them to transition to Boy Scouts.
Key to the process of earning the rank of Eagle Scout is planning and conducting a service project, typically for a nonprofit entity. Thousands of hours of project service have been performed in the Solon area benefiting the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Army Corps of Engineers, the Solon Community School District, Solon Recreation Dept., care centers, churches, and landscaping at the Veterans Memorial. The Eagle candidate must work with a sponsor organization, create a detailed plan, and get it approved before work begins. The Scout acts as the program manager scoping out the project, determining and acquiring the required materials and tools, creating a detailed schedule, and recruiting the manpower to execute the plan.
Kleinsmith took the lead on building new benches for Beef Days.
“The idea was suggested to me when the committee was discussing repairs that needed to be made to the existing benches. During Beef Days, they hold concerts which they need seating for. The existing seating was worn out and broken. My project was to make new benches that are more durable and long-lasting. The new benches will provide more seating, and safer seats. The project was completed (thanks to Tim Gordon, his family, his Scout family, friends who came out to help, and the Beef Days Committee) in June so they were ready for the 2022 Beef Days weekend.”
In addition to Scout Troop 120 Kleinsmith plays football as an offensive and defensive lineman, is a wrestler, and plays soccer and lacrosse. He is also in choir and Jazz Choir and attends his church youth group. “In my downtime, I like to play video games.”
Kleinsmith plans to major in sports management and play college football starting at Iowa Central in Fort Dodge.
“Go Tritons!”
The Solon Economist wishes to congratulate these six young men on their achievement, and to thank them and their families for their help and cooperation in preparing this series. We would also like to thank the advertisers that made it possible.

Gallery • 4 Photos

Zeb Kleinsmith and his all-volunteer crew made up of fellow Scouts, family, and friends pose for a group photo after building new benches for use by the Beef Days Committee during Beef Days concerts.