Winfield Scout awarded rank of Eagle

Aeden Edward Young of Winfield Boy Scout Troop 575 recently was awarded the rank of Eagle, Scouting's highest rank.

He is the 47th Scout from the troop to be awarded this rank at ceremonies that were held at Christ Our Savior Church in Winfield.

Nationally, only 5 percent of Boy Scouts achieve the Eagle rank.

As part of the award ceremony, Young received letters of congratulations from President Barack Obama, Gov. Bruce Rauner, and U.S. Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter.

In his speech, Young said, "Being an Eagle Scout is taking the Scout oath, law and motto to heart and using it not only to better yourself but, more importantly, to better your community and the people around you."

For his Eagle Project, Young cleaned up debris in the portion of Winfield Creek that runs through Creekside Park in Winfield and dug a drainage swale to direct stormwater in the park.

He is a 2015 graduate of Wheaton North High School and recently completed his freshman year at Western Illinois University, where he is studying law enforcement. Young is a member of the university's Honors College and is employed with the Wheaton Park District as a summer lifeguard.