Seven teens earn Eagle Scout rank

To earn Scouting’s highest rank, these Scouts held various leadership positions, performed hours of services, earned a minimum of 21 merit badges, learned camping skills, participated in trainings and led an Eagle project that benefited the community.

Zach Auerbach, a current freshman at Indiana University, earned 23 merit badges. His Eagle project was a diaper drive in the Lake County area. Zach helped bring in donations of diapers to the Diaper Bank Partnership of Lake County. In total, over 12,000 diapers were donated that were then dispersed to the families with children in need of diapers. The diaper bank remains open and continues to grow.

Alexander Turner, a freshman at Lewis University, earned 33 merit badges and led a project to restore White Pine Creek, in Buffalo Grove. Alex and friends transformed the once unruly stream into the image of a healthy wetland creek. Thanks to Alex’s hard work, there is no longer an erosion problem.

Michael Turner is currently a freshman at Iowa State University. Michael earned 33 merit badges on his path to Eagle. For his project he removed a highly invasive species of plant, Purple Loosestrife, from the banks of the White Pine Creek. The removal was essential to improve the waterway and allow placement of natural seeds. After the removal process Michael planted a beneficial plant native to the region, Johns Wort.

Christopher Quillinan, currently a senior at Carmel Catholic High School, earned 37 merit badges to achieve the rank of Eagle. Christopher collected blankets and pajamas for the Christian Appalachian Project, a nonprofit, nondenominational Christian organization committed to providing support to the people in need in the Appalachia. Over 250 items were gathered at many locations in the area, including St. Marys School, Vernon Township Center and more.

Austin Southwell, a senior at Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, earned a total of 26 merit badges. For his project he designed and built a welcome center for Reed-Turner Woodland, a nature preserve in Long Grove. The build occurred over 13 days cumulating 267 hours of labor.

Blake Maley, a freshman at Buffalo Grove High School, worked to collect toys for Matthew’s Mission. The organization provides toys to children requiring long-term medical care. A total of over 600 toys were gathered from neighboring communities and labeled with the slogan, “Putting a Smile on a Sick Child’s Face with a Simple Toy.”

Bryan Froehlicher is currently a senior at Buffalo Grove High School and earned 26 merit badges on his path to Eagle. For his project he collected nearly 50 used bikes and refurbished them to safe riding condition. The bikes were donated to the Palatine Opportunity Center for distributions as they saw fit.

The seven boys bring the total number of Eagle Scouts to 156 in the troop’s 49-year history.

Ÿ Send Your news to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com.