ICHS Senior Pat Burke Earns Eagle Scout Rank
Scouting has always been a big part in Patrick Burke's life. When he began as a Tiger Cub back in 1st Grade, Pat never imagined that he would one day earn his rank as Eagle Scout – a feat that only 2% of all Boy Scouts go on to achieve. On January 9th, 2011, Immaculate Conception High School senior Patrick Burke was presented with his Eagle Scout award, which is the highest rank available in the Boy Scouts of America Program. Pat is a member of Boy Scout Troop 14 out of the Visitation Parish in Elmhurst.
Pat has always loved to be outdoors. Camping, hiking, white water rafting and mountain biking are some of his favorite hobbies when he is not busy with school. His participation in the Boy Scouts program has allowed him to indulge in many of these interests. He has enjoyed the opportunity to travel to places like West Virginia, Florida and New Mexico. “One of my most memorable experiences as a scout was completing a 75 mile trek at the Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico” recalled Burke. “The last day we had no food or water, so we were pretty relieved to finally reach the base camp”.
To earn the Eagle Scout designation, scouts must earn 21 merit badges, serve six months in a troop leadership position, and lead a service project from the planning to the completion stage. Pat didn't need to travel far for the final requirement as he planned and coordinated (enlisting 17 of his friends) the landscaping of a Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) house located in Bensenville which provides residence to five mentally challenged men who are provided assistance through the Ray Graham Association. The group planted 4 bushes,18 daylilies, 288 pachysandra plants (groundcover) and 5 varieties of hostas (20 plants total) around the residence. Pat paid for most of the project expenses through money he earned selling Christmas wreaths and spaghetti dinner tickets. He also secured donations and assistance from local retailers Luurs Garden & Flower Shoppe and JP's Landscaping in Hillside to help complete the project. Calling this project “the most rewarding part of his whole scouting experience”, Pat was touched by how grateful the residents were when they saw the finished product.
In addition to his commitment to the Boys Scout of America Program, Pat has always managed to maintain a high level of excellence academically and in his participation in the many activities and clubs that ICHS has to offer. Academically, Pat has earned high honor roll every semester as an ICHS student and has also earned numerous Academic Awards throughout is four years. He currently serves as the Co-President of the National Honor Society, is a Christian Service Leader, a Eucharistic Minister, and a member of the Chess Club and Spanish Club. In addition, Pat was a captain of the varsity Football team this year, a varsity basketball player for the past two years and a member of the Bass Fishing team.
“The Eagle Rank is a lot more than an achievement, it symbolizes the eleven and a half years I stuck with scouting, all the new friends I made, the new things I learned, and all the great places I've been” said Burke “Getting to this point makes all those Sunday night meetings worth while”.
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the nations largest and most prominent values-based youth development organizations. The BSA provides a program for young people that builds character, trains them in the responsibilities of participating citizenship, and develops personal fitness. For nearly a century, the BSA has helped build the future leaders of this country by combining educational activities and lifelong values with fun. The Boy Scouts of America believes — and, through nearly a century of experience, knows — that helping youth is a key to building a more conscientious, responsible, and productive society. For more information on the Boy Scouts of America, go to www.scouting.org. For information on Immaculate Conception High School, please visit www.ichsknights.org.