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Worthy Convos: Tristan Luescher on Packing It Forward
We started Worthy Convos to highlight people doing good and interesting things in our community. Tristan Luescher is working on his Eagle Scout project and is the definition of “good” and “interesting”. He graciously allowed us to interview him, despite the craziness of the last few weeks of school.
Tanglewood Moms: Hi, Tristan! Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Tristan Luescher: Hi! My name is Tristan Luescher, and I am a junior at South Hills High School here in Fort Worth. Outside of school and Scouting, I am really into skateboarding, making music, and hanging out with my friends. Music is something I am genuinely passionate about, and I spend a lot of my free time working on it. It is something I hope to pursue in the future.
TWM: Can you tell us a little about your history with Scouting?
TL: I have been in Scouting for most of my life. I started in Cub Scouts when I was around 5 years old and worked my way through the program before crossing over into Boy Scouts at around age 10. I have been with Troop 554 here in Fort Worth under the Longhorn Council ever since. Over the years, I have taken on more responsibility within the troop and worked my way through the ranks to Life Scout, which is where I am now. Eagle Scout is the final and highest rank, and my service project is the last major requirement to earn it.
TWM: How has Scouting affected you, and how has it changed the way you interact with people and the world?
TL: Scouting has taught me a lot of practical skills, such as how to handle myself in the outdoors, how to be prepared for just about anything, and how to stay calm when things do not go according to plan. But honestly, the bigger impact has been on how I see other people. Scouting really pushes you to think beyond yourself and to look for ways to help those around you. I think it has made me more patient, more understanding, and more aware of the world outside my own bubble. A lot of those things are hard to learn in a classroom.
TWM: Please tell us about your Eagle Scout project.
TL: My Eagle Scout project is called “Pack It Forward: One Bag at a Time.” I am assembling 1,000 Blessing Bags for individuals experiencing homelessness in Fort Worth. Each bag is packed with essentials, including two water bottles, electrolyte packets, a granola bar, beef jerky, mixed nuts, fruit snacks, peanut butter crackers, and cookies. Items that are easy to carry and provide real nutrition and hydration throughout the day. The bags will be distributed through two local organizations: Presbyterian Night Shelter and True Worth Place will receive 750 bags, and Union Gospel Mission of Tarrant County will receive 250 bags. Every single bag goes directly into the hands of someone in need, and 100% of donations go toward supplies, and nothing is kept by my troop or me.
TWM: Why did you choose to make 1,000 Blessing Bags for the unhoused population of Fort Worth?
TL: I wanted to do something that would make a real and immediate impact on as many people as possible. Fort Worth has around 2,400 people experiencing homelessness, and while our local shelters do amazing work, there are still a lot of people out on the streets who need something portable they can carry with them during the day. A Blessing Bag is simple, but it solves a real problem for someone who has very little. When I thought about what project would put something tangible in the most hands possible, this felt like the right answer. One thousand people will have something because of this project. That means a lot to me.
TWM: How can we help you make those Blessing Bags?
TL: There are two easy ways to help! The first is through my Amazon Wish List, where you can pick specific items that ship directly to us, so even buying one bag of mixed nuts or a box of granola bars makes a real difference when you need 1,000 of everything. The link is amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2RAKJUY7ES4OW. The second way is through our GoFundMe at gofundme.com/f/eagle-scout-project-helping-1000-homeless-in-fort-worth-xcu4u, where cash donations are used to purchase supplies. Every single contribution helps, no matter the size.
TWM: Can you tell us a little about the community packing event on May 31st?
TL: On May 31st, we are hosting a community volunteer packing event at First Church International, located at 1212 S. Grants Lane in Fort Worth, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. That is where everything comes together as volunteers sort and pack all the supplies into the 1,000 bags. All ages are welcome, and it should be a really fun afternoon. We hope to get 40 to 60 volunteers so we can get everything packed as efficiently as possible. The more hands, the better! Krispy Kreme and Little Caesars are generously providing food and drinks for everyone who comes out, so volunteers will definitely be taken care of. The completed bags will then be delivered to our shelter partners on June 1st. WFAA ABC will cover the event.
TWM: How will achieving Eagle Scout affect your role in Scouting? Will you continue?
TL: Eagle Scout is a huge accomplishment and one I have been working toward for a long time. It takes a lot of dedication, and I am proud to be this close to finishing. After I earn the Eagle Scout rank, I plan to stay active in Venturing Crew, the older youth program in Scouting. I want to stay connected and hopefully give back some of what Scouting has given me over the years.
TWM: What are your plans for life after high school?
Music is my biggest passion, and my first goal is to attend a music production school like Full Sail University to pursue it seriously. If that path does not work out, I am also interested in going to trade school to learn a skilled trade. Either way, I want to be doing something I care about and building something for myself.
