Central High School senior recognized as first recipient of 2026 Mic-O-Say scouting scholarship

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- A high school Eagle scout from St. Joseph was announced as the first recipient of a 2026 scholarship offered through the honorary "Mic-O-Say" tribal scouts organization.

Central High School senior Alex Lawyer, an Eagle scout with Troop 216 in St. Joseph, was recognized as the first winner of the 2026 Patrick L. Newman Mic-O-Say Scholarship, a $1000 scholarship awarded to top scouts at Camp Geiger who display leadership, courage and dedication to scout oath and law.

Lawyer was one of four area students to receive the scholarship this year, including Benton High School senior Cole Kelley, Atchison Eagle Scout Patrick Maderak and North Platte senior Galen Christiansen. 

Following graduation, Lawyer plans to attend a college and major in Environmental Engineering, combining his passion for math and science with the outdoors to reduce impacts of human activity on the environment.

Lawyer's academic accomplishments include being a member of the National Honor Society, student government and FBLA. His musical talents in orchestra have earned him numerous district and state awards. 

Within scouting, Lawyer has spent three years working on Camp Geiger staff, including multiple unit-level leadership positions. 

The annual scholarship was created in honor of Patrick L. Newman, a longtime scout who served for nearly 30 years on the Tribal Council of the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, and often urged the organization to create an educational scholarship for members. 

Full list of scholarship award winners include: 

Galen Christiansen, 2nd recipient 

Christiansen is an Eagle Scout from Troop 714 in Edgerton, Missouri and is currently a senior at North Platte High School in Dearborn, Missouri. Galen plans to attend the University of Central Missouri where he will major in Aviation.

Galen is a strong leader and athlete with three years of experience working as a member of Camp Geiger staff, receiving the distinct "Staffman of the Year" award in 2025. Galen maintains a very active schedule with Cross Country, Track and Field, Scholar Bowl, National Honor Society, band, choir and the school musical, all while maintaining a cumulative 4.11 weighted GPA. 

Cole Kelley, 3rd recipient: 

Kelley is an Eagle Scout and Benton High School senior from Troop 216 in St. Joseph. Cole plans to attend either Missouri Western State University or the University of Central Missouri after graduation, with the goal of majoring in Wildlife Conservation Management. 

A former "Staffman of the Week" winner, Kelley has held key leadership roles during his time at Camp Geiger. His accomplished resume includes football, track, orchestra, scholar bowl, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Cole Kelley currently holds the No. 1 class rank for his graduating class with an impressive 4.4 weighted GPA.  

Patrick Maderak, 4th recipient: 

Patrick is an Eagle Scout from Troop 53 in Atchison, Kansas, and is currently a sophomore at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas where he is double majoring in Political Science and Business. He hopes to use his college degree to further his studies to attend Law School and become a practicing lawyer.

Patrick has served two years as a member of the Camp Geiger staff and is an active member of his church, maintaining a busy schedule between powerlifting, track and field, forensics and theater. 

The scholarship is available to any Camp Geiger Tribesman of Mic-O-Say who is currently active in the program. Mic-O-Say is an honorary scouts organization founded in 1925 at Camp Geiger by revered scout and Kansas City mayor H. Roe Bartle, interweaving the scout oath of law with elements of Native American culture. 

The scholarship program is entirely funded by private contributions and is managed by the Mosaic Life Care Foundation.

Students entering their senior year of high school or freshman year of college are encouraged to submit an application for Fall 2026 scholarships at micosay.org/scholarships. Scholarship applications must be received by October 15th to qualify for the January award at the Winter Conclave