St. Charles teen earns Eagle Scout rank
Brandon Lach of St. Charles recently celebrated his earning of the Eagle Scout rank at his Court of Honor at St. Patrick Catholic Church in St. Charles.
His Scouting career began in 2002 in first grade as a Tiger Cub when he joined Cub Scout Pack 110 at the church. He advanced through the ranks of Cub Scouting, earning his Bobcat, Wolf, Bear and Webelos ranks, until he achieved the Arrow of Light Award, the highest award given to a Cub Scout.
Brandon earned Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class in his first two years. He earned the rank of Star Scout in 2010 and the rank of Life Scout in 2011.
As a member of Boy Scout Troop 10, Brandon served in many leadership positions, including Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, Senior Patrol Leader, Chaplain's Aide, Troop Guide, and Librarian. He regularly has taken part in the VFW Memorial Day services, as well as the Troop 10 Silver Glen Roadside cleanup.
As an active participant, Brandon earned 30 merit badges and broke the mile swim record during Ransburg summer camp in 2013. In 2011, Brandon joined eight others and camped on and hiked up to Mt. Baldy at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. In 2014, Brandon was nominated Crew Chief and led a crew of Scouts as they set sail at the Bahamas Branch of Sea Base.
Brandon's Eagle Scout project was to construct a new food pantry in order to relocate an existing food pantry for St. Vincent de Paul.
Brandon is currently a senior at Wheaton Academy. He is very active in extracurricular activities, both in school and out of school. He participates in cross country and track. He became eligible to compete at the varsity level his freshman year and has qualified for state his junior and senior years.
Brandon is also very active in the fine arts department, where he currently is first chair for the violin section, auditioning and qualifying for Illinois Music Education Association several years in a row and earning the highest rank of distinction for Solo Ensemble competitions every year.
Brandon auditioned for, was selected, and currently plays both electric guitar and violin for worship team.
Brandon is a standing member of the National Honor Society, has been on the honor roll all four years, and was a member of the Mock Trial Team his sophomore year, in which the team qualified for state in Springfield.