Eagle Scouts' Projects Benefit the Community
Tom Schwaba and Ross Campbell of Prospect Heights and Justin Lee of Arlington Heights, have earned the Eagle Scout Award, the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers. Together three scouts began their path to Eagle as Cub Scouts ten years ago and through hard work, dedication and friendship have succeeded in achieving the Eagle rank.
Members of Troop #36, the three boys are one of only approximately four percent of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank. Each Eagle Scout candidate must earn 21 merit badges and successfully complete a community, church, or synagogue-related service project to earn his Eagle Scout Award.
For his project, Tom Schwaba created a compost bin for St Alphonsus Liguori Parish's "Garden of Eatin," its community garden that gives fresh produce to families in need that come to their Food Pantry. "I like that everything grown in the garden goes to families who might not be able to afford fresh fruits and vegetables," said Tom. Tom is active in cross-country and track at John Hersey High School where he is a Senior. He is also a member of Hersey's Jazz and Symphonic bands. He works part-time in construction and volunteers every summer at Camp SOAR (Special Outdoor Adaptive Recreation), an overnight camp for children with special needs.
Ross Campbell's Eagle project was to design, plan and build new Kiddie Carnival games for the Prospect Heights Park District. They hoped to gain all-new, modern, fun games to benefit children participating in this traditional event, and turned to Ross to help reinvigorate their Carnival. Ross is a senior at John Hersey High School, an active participant in the school's Technical Theater group, and a lifeguard at the Wheeling Aquatic Center.
For his project Justin Lee made new picnic tables for Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Prospect Heights. The tables benefit the pre-schoolers and church members to utilize the outdoors during the warmer months. Justin is in his Senior year at Wheeling High School. He is a volunteer for peer mentoring, a tutor, and also a member of the tennis team and math team.