Palatine Scout earns Eagle rank

John Komoll, 17, of Palatine Boy Scout Troop 209, has achieved scouting's highest honor, the rank of Eagle Scout.

As part of earning the Eagle Scout rank, Komoll completed a leadership service project that benefitted one of the Clearbrook Center's group homes in Arlington Heights. Clearbrook is a 501(c) 3 organization committed to providing services, support, and opportunities to people with disabilities.

The project Komoll led involved 21 boys who worked over five days to enhance the Clearbrook facility. Their work included laying new wood floors in the community room of the home, repairing and painting the community room and bedroom walls, installing wall guards to prevent damage from wheel chairs and power-washing and staining the home's outdoor deck.

While a Scout with Troop 209, Komoll has earned 31 merit badges and served in the roles of junior assistant scoutmaster, senior patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, troop guide, Leave No Trace trainer, patrol leader and librarian. He is a member of the Order of the Arrow, the honor society for Boy Scouts, and served on a team that completed ceremonies for Cub Scouts advancing into Boy Scouts. Komoll has also participated in numerous service projects benefiting Palatine and the surrounding communities during his years in scouting. His camping experiences have included two trips to Philmont, New Mexico, attendance at the National Jamboree in West Virginia, and a Sea Base high adventure camp in the Florida Keys.

Komoll is currently a senior at Fremd High School and plans to major in biomedical engineering when he enters college.

Troop 209, led by Scoutmaster Kevin Piasecki, meets at the First United Methodist Church, Palatine, and has over 100 active scouts Komoll is the 71st scout in Troop 209's history to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout.

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