Mundelein teen earns Eagle Scout award
Submitted by John Phillips
Christian M. Phillips, 15, of Mundelein recently earned the highest award available to youth members of the Boy Scouts of America. The Eagle Scout Badge is the seventh badge that can be earned by Boy Scouts after earning the Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star and Life badges. Less than two boys out of 100 reach the rank of Eagle Scout.
Christian is the son of John and Kay Phillips of Mundelein and the grandson of Kenneth and Ruth Anne Phillips of Sheffield and Norma Jean Hull and Les Millison of Gilmer, Texas.
He belongs to Troop 198 which was chartered in 1960 to St. Andrew’s Lutheran Church in Mundelein. His Scout Master is David Bruecks. During his scouting history, Christian has served as Patrol Leader, Scribe, Instructor, and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. He participated in a Padre Island trip and in Makajawan Scout Reservation three consecutive years, was named Scout of the Year in 2011 and will attend the National Scout Jamboree in West Virginia during the summer of 2013. He has earned 30 merit badges.
For his Eagle Scout project, Christian organized multiple acts for an age-appropriate instrumental music program at Winchester House, a long-term care facility in Libertyville. With the assistance of 15 of his fellow Scouts, more than 75 residents were transported from their rooms via wheelchairs in less than 45 minutes. After the musical show, the residents were returned to their rooms without incident. Christian’s guitar teacher, Hunter Prendergast of Music Workshop in Mundelein, accompanied by bassist Matt Henderson, performed musical selections during the Court of Honor.
Since his father John is also an Eagle Scout, Christian asked his dad to read the Eagle charge to him, an honor to both generations of Eagle Scouts. John chose not to read the standard charge, electing instead to compose one in his own words.
Family members attending the Court of Honor and reception were Christian’s brothers, U.S. Army 1st Lt. Jordan A. Vanicek of Watertown, N.Y.; and William S. Phillips of Plano, Texas (via videoconference); his parents; and grandparents Ken and Ruth Anne Phillips. Others included Denise Wheeler, Troop 198 committee chairwoman, Pastor Mark Selbo, Scout Leaders David Bruecks and Rick Nation, Lake County Board Representative Diane O’Kelly and members of Scout Troup 198. A special centerpiece cake featuring a replica of the Eagle Scout badge was baked and meticulously decorated by his grandmother.
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