St. Edward senior earns Scouting's Eagle rank

Boy Scout Troop 21 of South Elgin recently recognized Alex S. Arciuch of Elgin as a recipient of the highest award in Scouting, the rank of Eagle Scout. The Eagle Court of Honor ceremony took place on March 13 at Community United Methodist Church in South Elgin.

In order to achieve Eagle Scout rank, each young man must complete 21 merit badges and have planned, developed and executed a public service project that benefits his church, school, or community. Only 4 percent of Boy Scouts attain the Eagle Scout rank.

Alex bridged over to Troop 21 from South Elgin Cub Scout Pack 76 in February 2003. As a Boy Scout in Troop 21, Alex earned 21 merit badges including Wilderness Survival, Emergency Preparedness, and Canoeing. He also was a member of the Order of the Arrow.

Alex has attended many monthly camp outs with Troop 21, as well as Boy Scout summer camps in Castle Rock, Wis. Since the age of 14, he has been able to participate in annual High Adventure trips which are organized in early summer. Alex was able to canoe the Flambeau River in Wisconsin, as well as hike at Isle Royale and the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. He also spent two weeks at the Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico.

For his Eagle Project, Alex chose to help the Community Crisis Center in Elgin. He organized Scouts and adults in a monthlong donation drive to help the Community Crisis Center, which aids women and children suffering from domestic violence and other abuse. Alex planned and executed the project, starting from the flier distribution, to setting up donation boxes at his school and church, as well as putting ads in the local newspapers and picking up donations. Alex and other Scouts completed the project by organizing and sorting all of the donations and delivering a truckload of necessities and toys to the Crisis Center. He chose this project because he felt that with the downward trend of the economy, this organization was in desperate need for necessary supplies for the women and children in need.

Alex is currently a senior at St. Edward Central High School in Elgin. He has played on the football team all four years, as well as having participated on the wrestling team, tennis and track. Last summer, Alex was one of a group of boys chosen to attend the American Legion's Illinois Boys State camp at Eastern Illinois University. He has also volunteered at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Elgin as an usher and in the distribution of Thanksgiving and Christmas food baskets. He has also volunteered at the Gail Borden Public Library on several occasions, including the setup of their dinosaur exhibit and assisting in summer reading registrations.

Alex has enjoyed his Scouting career, especially the camping and outdoor activities. He feels Scouting has presented him with some great challenges and prepared him well for his future.

Alex plans on attending and playing football at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa in the fall.