Levi Clauss Earns 2026 Edward J. Rottet Jr. Scout Award

Levi Clauss, a senior at Jasper High School and an Eagle Scout who has earned 28 merit badges, was presented the Edward J. Rottet Jr. Memorial Scout Award during Scout Sunday ceremonies at the Jasper Knights of Columbus on Feb. 1, 2026. The award, established in 1935 and given for outstanding character and achievement, was handed out amid a breakfast hosted by Knights of Columbus members and a program of scouts and past recipients.

Clauss is listed as the son of Phil and Jamie Clauss and plans to study accounting at Indiana University. School records and local program material identify Clauss as ranked in the top 10 percent of his class, elected to the National Honor Society as a junior, a three-year Student Council member, a four-year member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a two-year officer in Business Professionals of America serving as vice president.

On the field and court, Clauss contributed four years to Jasper High School soccer and four years to JHS basketball. He served as soccer team captain in his junior and senior seasons, earned Most Valuable Player honors in 2024 and 2025, and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 2024. Clauss is active in Holy Family Catholic Church, serves as a Wyldlife leader with Young Life, and as a member of Venture Crew 185 has participated in high-adventure white water rafting and the Philmont Scout Ranch trek in New Mexico. His troop leadership listing includes Troop Historian for Troop 185, with Scoutmaster Fred Feltner and Crew Leader Kevin Cox identified as his unit leaders.

Program details from the Scout Sunday ceremony list Gene Kunz as master of ceremonies, Scouts Cole Schmitt and Ewan Engelberth leading the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Oath and invocation, and Craig Gehlhausen serving as guest speaker; Craig Gehlhausen is recorded as a previous recipient of the Rottet award. Don Rottet, a cousin of Edward J. Rottet Jr., spoke about Eddie Rottet Jr.’s life; Eddie was described at the ceremony as a Life Scout and Jasper athlete who died of typhoid fever in 1934 at the age of 17.

Local accounts differ on some logistical points. One account names the recipient as Drew Clauss, lists the ceremony date as Feb. 5 and reports more than 120 scouts and adults in attendance, and notes participation by Troop 182 in addition to Troop 185 and Venture Crew 185. Other accounts identify Levi Clauss as recipient, give Feb. 1, 2026 as the Scout Sunday date and report more than 80 scouts and adults attended. Family name spellings also vary between Phil and Phillip Clauss in different event writeups.

The Edward J. Rottet Jr. Memorial Scout Award, in continuous local use since 1935, remains a touchstone for scouting recognition in Jasper; past winners have included local students honored for combined academic standing, Eagle Scout service and community volunteer work. Troop 185 leadership, Venture Crew 185 leadership and Knights of Columbus event organizers are listed in event material as points of contact for program records and photo verification.