By Taylor J. Hale
Gazette Reporter

STEVENS POINT — Mayor Mike Wiza met with Boy Scout Troop #299 for a night of political reflection and purposed discussion on Oct. 29 at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.

The Scouts, all in 4th or 5th grade in the local area, carried a cadence of maturity and a firm demeanor for their age while they spoke directly with their town’s mayor.

“Learning about politics is important so we can know more about our country,” said Scout Mason Sass. “I liked hearing about everything the mayor does.”

Photo: Taylor Hale, Portage County Gazette,

The Scouts met with Mayor Wiza to get one of their needed badges, the Build a Better World badge. One of the requirements tasked to the Scouts for this badge is to speak with a local elected official. Mayor Wiza was happy to accommodate the Scouts and educate them on their role as local denizens of the community.

“It’s important to know that these young people are a part of this community. It teaches them about the world around them and about responsibility. It gives us a chance to teach them about teamwork and how a government functions,” commented Wiza.

This preliminary introduction to politics helps truncate the complexities of government to the young Scouts. One Scout, Madeline Mancel, was excited to see what the mayor actually does, and get to meet him directly.

“I liked to hear what the mayor does every day. I think it’s important to know about politics so we can try and make the world a better place,” said Mancel with a smile.

Photo: Taylor Hale, Portage County Gazette.

Mayor Wiza has helped periodically with this program for the last three years and has enjoyed watching the Scouts interface with politics in such a direct way. The Scouts came up with ideas to help better the city before meeting with the mayor, and they voiced their ideas and concerns to him face-to-face.

“Some of the ideas the kids’ suggested blew me away. From less screen time at school to more police enforcement in town. They seriously thought about their questions,” said Wiza.

One Scoutmaster from Troop #299, Sean Ruppert, was also taken back by how quickly the Scouts developed their political keenness. He has been with many of the 4th and 5th graders in his Troop since they were in 1st grade.

“I like connecting the kids to local government and showing them how accessible it can actually be,” said Ruppert. “A lot of these kids have fantastic views all on their own. They have some big ideas.”

Wiza, Ruppert, and the rest of the Scoutmasters feel that educating the youth on local and national politics is vital for the future growth of our community. These types of structured programs give children a means to see the workings and intricacies of their government in a first-hand way.

“Seeing the different perspectives and how much the kids’ care is always amazing for me.” said
Wiza.