Brothers earn Eagle Scout ranking at ceremony

Boy Scout Troop 10 of St. Patrick Catholic Church awarded the Eagle Scout Badge to Samuel and Daniel Hillis at an Eagle Court of Honor on June 6 at the church on Crane Road in St. Charles. They are the sons of Jeff and Marge Hillis.

• Samuel Hillis, 20, is a sophomore at the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana, where he is pursuing his interests in math and economics. He previously attended the Math Science Academy at Bartlett High School, where he was in the National Honor Society. He was involved in student government as an academy student adviser and played four years on the Bartlett High School volleyball team - three years at the varsity level, where he earned a varsity letter. He participated in a Spanish exchange student program, and as a result was able to spend 3 weeks in Spain his senior year.

Sam attended St. Patrick's Catholic School and joined Pack 110 as a Tiger Cub in first grade. He progressed through the ranks of Cub Scouts, culminating in receiving his Arrow of Light as a Webelos scout in the fifth grade. He also earned the Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei religious awards as a Cub Scout. He crossed over to Boy Scout Troop 10, taking the canoe ride across the pond at Camp Tu-Endie-Wei. He served in many leadership roles during his scouting years, including Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Sam was tapped into Order of the Arrow, and became an Ordeal member. He was the Crew Chief for a high adventure on the Boundary Waters High Adventure. He attended the Thunderbird Junior Leadership Training, as well as many years of summer camps, where he honed his outdoor skills and earned merit badges and rank advancements. He also earned his Ad Altare Dei religious award.

For his Eagle Project, he led a team of Scouts and leaders in a project at Corron Farms in St. Charles Township. This project involved the rehabilitation of a historical barn at the farm, repairing the structure, scraping and repainting it, and replacing 25 windows. This was a very large undertaking, and he was really appreciative of all of the help and support he received from his fellow Scouts and the Troop 10 leaders. He particularly thanks his mentor, Scott Hayes, for his help and guidance on his Eagle project.

• Daniel Hillis, 18, recently graduated with honors from Marmion Academy in Aurora, where he was in the LEAD Program and was elected to the National Honor Society. He played junior varsity football for two years, and also ran cross-country his senior year. He was involved in a number of clubs and in LEAD programs developed at Marmion for middle school students. He was very active with his classmates and community, and was honored with the Ted Brattin Civic Youth Award, which is given by the Naperville/Aurora Rotary Club to recognize students who excel at civil involvement, leadership, and community service.

He attended St. Patrick's Catholic School in St. Charles and joined Pack 110 as a Tiger Cub. He progressed through the ranks of Cub Scouts, culminating in receiving his Arrow of Light as a Webelos scout in the fifth grade. He also earned the Light of Christ and Parvuli Dei religious awards as a Cub Scout. He followed in his brothers' footsteps, crossing over to Boy Scout Troop 10. His dad, who had been Cubmaster of Pack 110, crossed over with him. His mom, who was an assistant den leader, also crossed over, so this was really a family affair. Dan readily took to the outdoor opportunities afforded to Troop 10 Boy Scouts, going on many camping trips with his brothers Jake and Sam and the troop. He served in many leadership roles during his scouting years, including Patrol Leader and Assistant Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader. He also served the troop as Historian, Bugler, and Chaplain's Aide. He attended the Thunderbird Junior Leadership Training. He also attended summer camp each year, and was Senior Patrol Leader one summer. He also earned his Ad Altare Dei religious award.

For his Eagle Project, he wanted to do something to help St. John Neumann Church in St. Charles, where he's worshipped and been a member of the faith community his entire life. The project he undertook involved building more than 30 feet of shelving for storage of seasonal goods and donated items. He was really appreciative of all of the help and support he received from his fellow Scouts and the Troop 10 leaders. He would particularly like to thank Jeff Ricketts for his mentorship and support.

Dan joins his brothers Sam and Jacob as Eagle Scouts in Troop 10.