Two Downers Grove teens achieve Eagle Scout rank

Two members of Boy Scout Troop 57 celebrated achieving the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor ceremony July 18 at the Downers Grove American Legion Post 80, 4000 Saratoga Ave.

Nathan Kerr and Dillon Kohls began scouting together in Cub Scout Pack 57 while attending Hillcrest Elementary School in Downers Grove.

Kerr, a recent graduate of Downers Grove North High School, will attend Lewis University in Romeoville in the fall. Kohls, a recent graduate of Downers Grove South High School, will attend Iowa State University in Ames.

As part of their path to the rank of Eagle Scout, each Scout was required to participate in a lengthy review process that included conducting a special Eagle project for their community.

Kerr selected St. James Farm in Warrenville and the DuPage Forest Preserve as his beneficiary, completing a renovation of bleachers at the farm location.

Kohls' project beneficiary was the Ray Graham Association Hanson Center, a nonprofit horsemanship farm in Burr Ridge, where he created visitor description signs about the animals the farm cares for.

The rank of Eagle Scout was created in 1912 and is the highest rank attainable by a Scout.

Only 8% of all Scouts have earned this rank since its inception. Kerr and Kohls join just over 2.5 million other Eagles nationwide reaching this achievement.

Troop 57 is chartered by St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove. For information on Boy Scout Troop 57, visit sites.google.com/site/dgtroop57a/.