Community Corner

Record Number of Eagle Scouts in 2012 in Des Plaines Valley Council

The La Grange-based Boy Scout council says that the existing record was smashed (by 26 more Scouts) in the 100th anniversary of the award's being bestowed.

The Des Plaines Valley Council, the La Grange-centered Boy Scout council that extends north to Oak Park and Franklin Park, west to Downers Grove and southwest to Lemont, saw a record 155 scouts attain the vaunted Eagle rank in 2012, 26 more than the previous record set in 2009.

The year 2012 held significant value to Eagle Scouts as the 100th anniversary of the first Eagle Scout, Arthur Rose Eldred, who earned his rank in 2012. Since then, over two million young men have earned the distinction, one of Scouting’s highest. 

“We’re thrilled that so many of our Scouts have reached this outstanding goal,” said Council president James Honan in a press release. “Our Scouts and everyone involved I delivering the Scouting program to them deserve congratulations.

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“Experience has shown that Eagle Scouts and their communities will see real benefits from this, now and into the future. Historically, these young men have proven to be assets to their communities and our nation.”

Included in the list of Scouts are locals from the La Grange and Western Springs area (listed with their Eagle projects), with information taking from a celebration held in Schiller Park on Sunday: 

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  • Justin Ambrose—Collected toys, books and games for the charity Toy Box Connection.
  • Joshua Bakr—Woodland restoration and invasive species removal in Bemis Woods South.
  • Aaron Brown—Outdoor landscaping and retaining wall reconstruction at the Hinsdale Humane Society.
  • Robert Brunner— Outdoor landscaping and retaining wall reconstruction at the Hinsdale Humane Society.
  • Michael Clancy—Built collection boxes for donations to a women’s shelter.
  • Scott Combs—refurbished hallways at the La Grange Community Nurse Health Center.
  • William Derrah—Renovated a planer box for the Village of Western Springs.
  • Daniel Drozda—Rebuilt and replanted an outdoor rain garden at the Shedd Aquarium.
  • Gabriel Fisher—Collected used trophies for refurbishment and reuse by non-profit organizations.
  • Matthew Freda—Replanted beds in Gilbert Park and added a bench to the park.
  • Robert Hanson—Painted walls and closets at a Ronald McDonald House.
  • James Heim—built two garden beds and a potting bench for residents at Helping Hands.
  • Matthew Hicaro—Painted and renovated a room at First Presbyterian Church of La Grange.
  • Chadwick Holland—Oversaw the development, creation and distribution of free photo ID cards to residents of the Plymouth Place Retirement Community.
  • John Keen—Repaired the kneelers at St. Louise De Marillac Church in La Grange Park.
  • Patrick Kelley—Collected old and worn-down medical equipment to be fixed if possible and sent them to the Hospital Sisters Outreach Mission.
  • Michael Krol—Removed stumps and their roots on seven evergreen trees.
  • Matthew Layden—Designed and constructed seven dog houses for year-round use at the Anti-Cruelty Society.
  • Nicholas Layden—Constructed an Educational Garden in Walker Park.
  • Riley Marshall—Created a donation drive of items for the VA Hines Hospital in Maywood patients and visitors at the Fisher House.
  • Patrick Meingast—Constructed and installed wooded bike racks in four parking spots located throughout the community.
  • Edward Miller—Organized and conducted a census of the deep population at Wolf Road Prairie for the Save the Prairie Society in Westchester.
  • John Miller—Constructed a wooded walkway for small children to see the exhibits at the Eckdahl House.
  • Sean Morrissey—Sanded, primed and painted the grotto fence at St. James at the Sag.
  • Ian Nagle—Fixed a trail at Lyman Woods Forest Preserve.
  • Daniel Nutt—Constructed a shelving unit for the annex room at St. Francis Xavier Church for their food pantry.
  • Matthew O’Connor—Planned and built an outdoor science classroom for the Highlands Elementary and Middle schools.
  • Mark Patterson—Built four picnic tables for the Riverdale Park District in Riverdale, Illinois.
  • Matthew Pesch—Built storage bins for the Community Nurse Health Association of La Grange.
  • Sean Pierson—Built shelf covers to protect the inventory at the Nurses Association.
  • Noah Reardon—Rebuilt the fence bordering the west side of the parking lot at the Library.
  • Jonah Reardon—Showed a movie and had a discussion on the needs of returning veterans and the effect of PTSD.
  • John Salerno—Repaired a pathway for the Ray Graham Association’s Hanson Center.
  • Charles Schramka—Removed invasive plant species and mapped out all existing trails at Sundown Meadow Forest Preserve.
  • Vance Smith—Built four wooden benches for the courtyard at St. John of the Cross School.
  • Peter Strawbridge—Restored the memorial garden fence for the Village of Western Springs.
  • John Svoboda—Painted and repaired walls and installed a new microphone system at St. Michaels Lutheran Church.
  • Andrew Turner—Collected used medical equipment for United Cerebral Palsy.
  • Grant Younger—Planted 230 trees at a camp.

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