Batavia teen awarded Eagle Scout rank
Thomas Hibbeler recently became the 80th Eagle Scout for Batavia Troop 43, part of the St. Charles-based Boy Scouts of America Three Fires Council. The Batavia teen was awarded the highest rank attainable in Scouts BSA.
The 18-year-old’s achievements were celebrated in an afternoon Court of Honor on July 27 at the Congregational Church of Batavia, which hosts Troop 43.
Founded in 1974, Troop 43 is currently celebrating its 50th year. Hibbeler has been a member of the Troop since 2017.
Hibbeler graduated from Batavia High School in 2024. He now attends Illinois State University in Normal, majoring in instrumental music education.
To earn his Eagle, Hibbeler coordinated fellow Scouts and others who spent 247 hours refurbishing and repainting wooden signs in front of Hibbeler’s home church, Batavia United Methodist Church at 8 N. Batavia Avenue. Batavia United Methodist Church was constructed in 1887 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Court of Honor opened with Scouts Zach Little and Collin Donohue posting the colors. Senior Patrol Leader Nate Grohe was the master of ceremonies, with Troop 43 Scoutmaster Frank Downey presiding over the ceremony.
Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke spoke at the ceremony to commend and congratulate Hibbeler on his achievement and contribution to the community. He also read a proclamation declaring July 27 “Thomas Hibbeler Day” in Batavia.
Before presenting Hibbeler’s award, Downey recounted various Scouting memories and achievements earned by Hibbeler, which include earning 30 merit badges, a Bronze Eagle Palm award, recording 77 camping nights, participating in a “High Adventure” 35-mile backpacking trek at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico, and being selected to the Order of the Arrow (BSA’s Scouting Honor Society) in 2021.
Other guest speakers at the ceremony included Troop 43 Assistant Scoutmaster Kimo Hemmes and former Assistant Scoutmaster Brian Stiner. Hibbeler then spoke, discussing the impact of scouting on his life and thanking adults and fellow scouts for their contributions to the troop and his many positive experiences. Hibbeler also presented ceremonial pins to his mother, Rhonda, and his father, Eric. Eric Hibbeler presented his son’s Eagle Scout neckerchief. A reception at the church concluded the event.
Eagle is the highest and most coveted award in Scouts BSA and the last major step in the advancement program.
Troop 43 is chartered by the Congregational Church of Batavia. It is a “boy-led” Troop focused on developing leadership by giving Scouts responsibility for managing their own activities. Troop 43 meets on Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Batavia. Learn more about the troop at www.congregationalchurch.org/scout-troop-43.