St. Charles Scout earns Eagle Scout rank

Bethlehem Lutheran Boy Scout Troop 13 proudly presented Zac T. Kwasniewski the ultimate rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts of America on Dec. 16, 2012 at a special Court of Honor.

Zac, son of Brian and Janis Kwasniewski and older brother of Nic, is from St Charles. Zac began his Scouting adventure in Cub Scouts as a Tiger scout working his way up to Webelos II earning his faith' s religious emblems and achieving Cub Scouts' highest distinction of Arrow of Light before crossing over into Boy Scouts. Once joining Boy Scouts, he succeeded in moving up through the ranks towards his goal of becoming an Eagle Scout.

With this recognition, Zac joins an elite group of young men who have earned the Eagle Scout award. The first Eagle was awarded in 1912. Each year, only about four percent of Scouts achieve Scouting's highest honor. The list of famous Eagles over the last century includes movie and television stars, six Medal of Honor recipients, Nobel Prize winners, novelists, astronauts, Tuskegee airmen and Japanese-American internees, congressmen, senators and governors, an endless number of corporate CEOs and university presidents, a U.S. President, and the first man to walk on the moon.

Throughout his adventurous time in Scouting, Zac has held numerous leadership positions within the Troop including Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Scribe, Den Chief, Quartermaster, Troop Guide, and Chaplain Aide. He has earned (33) Merit Badges along the trail to Eagle including the (2) 100-year anniversary Historic Merit Badges of Tracking and Pathfinding. Zac was selected by his troop to attend the National Youth Leadership Training program offered by the Boy scouts of America.

He has participated in a variety of weekend campouts, week long summer camps, and high adventure camps throughout his Scouting experiences. Each left him with memories and friends that he will never forget. These campouts also allowed Zac the opportunity to earn Merit Badges and learn new skills.

For his Eagle Scout project, Zac lead a group of fellow Scouts, family, and friends in the construction, sanding, staining, and placement of much needed updated furniture for Anderson Animal Shelter in South Elgin. The items included a 6-foot bench; 4-foot bench; display table; bookcase; and cage table. Each of these items assisted the shelter in creating an inviting and organized reception area for those who wish to adopt a pet.

Zac, 15, is a sophomore at St. Charles East High School currently taking AP and Honors class while being active in Canoe Club and Gamers Club. He plans to further his educational studies by attending college to study criminal justice and criminology.