Batavia Troop 21 Scouts earn Eagle rank
Batavia Holy Cross Scout Troop 21 recently held an Eagle Court of Honor at Holy Cross Church where three Scouts, Eric Wall, Cody Jankowski and Timothy Wiley, were recognized with Scouting's highest honor—Eagle Scout. In honor of their Eagle Scout achievement, Troop 21 presented the Scouts with an American flag that flew over the Capitol in Washington D.C. and a proclamation from Batavia Mayor Schielke.
Eric Wall, son of Sergio and Gloria Wall, is a 2012 graduate of Batavia Sr. High School. He was honored at a ceremony attended by his family, friends, fellow scouts, Rev. Timothy J. Draper, Parochial Vicar and Batavia Alderman Robert Liva. His accomplishment represents 8 years of adventure, fun, work and dedication to the Boy Scout program. He began his scout experience with Pack 121 of Holy Cross Church in 2000 and crossed over to Troop 21 in 2004. Eric has earned 26 merit badges from Environmental Science to Wilderness Survival and has been involved in community service and participated in leadership roles on the road to Eagle rank. Eric participated in June 2007, in raising the flag during the re-dedication of Clark Island park renovations and tribute to the late Michael Jacobson at the new flagpole. In February 2006, Eric consulted with then prosecuting attorney William King in a mock trial held at the Kane County Judicial Center in St. Charles, IL. The event was Kane County Law Library Boy Scout Law Merit Badge Day and included an all-day tour learning about the legal system. Eric finished his Eagle Scout project in 2011 which involved the replacement of a newer informational/activities board kiosk with a sitting bench for Good Templar Park in Geneva, IL. This project took the scout and several volunteers over 85 hours to replace, construct and install at the park. The park committee will retain Eric's design plans, so that additional kiosks can be built.
Cody Jankowski, son of Jerry and Maureen Jankowski of Batavia, is currently a student at Waubonsee Community College studying Business Management and working at Menards Home Improvement. He began his scouting adventure in 2000 as a Tiger Cub in Pack 153 at JB Nelson Elementary School. In 2004 he completed all the Cub Scout requirements earning his Arrow of the light award and began his Boy Scout journey. During his time as a Scout, he has attended numerous weekend campouts, six week long summer camping trips and participated in the Florida Keys Sea Base High Adventure trip during the summer of 2011. Cody has earned 26 Merit Badges, 12 Eagle and 14 non-Eagle. Some of his favorite badges were Rifle Shooting, Archery, Canoeing, Whitewater Rafting and Wilderness Survival. Cody has served in many leadership positions within his troop including: Asst. Senior Patrol Leader, Asst. Patrol Leader, Troop Guide, Fire Safety Instructor, Knife Safety Instructor and Troop Historian. Cody's Eagle project was designing, planning and managing the construction of three raised garden beds for the Batavia Community Garden Center. This 110 hour-long project involved 23 additional Scouts and adult volunteers. The purpose of the raised garden beds is to serve those individuals in wheelchairs allowing them to reach into the garden for harvesting. This handicap accessibility allows everyone to participate in the joy of gardening. The harvest is then donated to Batavia's Interfaith Food Pantry.
Timothy Wiley, son Kevin and Julie Wiley, fell in love with scouting by watching his brother Ryan (also a Troop 21 Eagle Scout) participate in Scouts. He is a 2012 graduate of Batavia High School and will be attending Cornell College in Mt. Vernon IA, majoring in International Relations. In 1999, he joined J. B. Nelson Elementary School's Cub Pack 159 and soon after transferred to Holy Cross Cub Scout Pack 121. A highlight of his Cub Scout career was being the Grand Champion of the Pinewood Derby with his Chicago Bears logo car during his first year of scouting. In 2004, Tim crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 21 while only ten years old. He has participated in several service projects during his time with Troop 21 including: Batavia Lions Club Flower sale, Holy Cross Barn Sale, and driving the shuttle for the Interfaith Food Pantry during food sharing days. He has held the leadership positions of Asst. Senior Patrol Leader, First Aid Instructor and Troop Bugler. Tim has enjoyed numerous weekend campouts and participated in five scout summer camps. The Eagle project Tim undertook was building three barn owl nesting boxes, four American kestrel boxes and four wood duck boxes installed in various areas on the grounds of Fermilab.
Troop 21 is a chartered Boy Scout Troop of Holy Cross Catholic Church in Batavia under the direction of Scoutmaster, Bill Mahler. For information regarding Troop 21 membership and its activities, please visit www.bataviatroop21.org. ###