Sleepy Hollow teen earns Eagle Scout award

Steven Atilano, a member of Boy Scout Troop 32 and a resident of Sleepy Hollow, has earned the honor of Eagle Scout, the highest rank that the Boy Scouts offers. Only 3 to 4 percent of Boy Scout members ever attain this prestigious honor.

The 18-year-old, who is studying computer science at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, achieved the 21 merit badges required to receive the Eagle Scout award. For his final project, he worked with the Dundee Township Open Space on erosion control improvements at two trails at the Jelke Creek Bird Sanctuary. His project will assist with erosion control by redirecting the flow of water on the trails.

This project will have an impact for at least 10 years. Twenty-six Troop 32 Scouts and family members along with three Dundee Township Open Space employees completed the project last April.

Steven is from a proud family of Eagle Scouts. Two brothers in two generations have achieved the award. His uncle Benny and father Daniel received their awards in 1971 and 1973 while members of Troop 57 in DePue, Ill. His older brother Matthew received his Eagle Scout award from Troop 32 in West Dundee in 2008.

A ceremony honoring Steven took place Nov. 26 at the Bethlehem Community Ministry Center in West Dundee. More than 70 fellow Scouts, family and friends attended. Ten Eagle Scouts were present at the ceremony.

Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting. Since 1912, more than two million Boy Scouts have earned the Eagle Scout rank. In the words of the Eagle Promise, Eagle Scouts do their best each day to make their training an example, their rank and their influence count strongly for better Scouting and for better citizenship in their troop, in their community, and in their contacts with other people. To this they pledge their sacred honor.

To learn more about Boy Scout Troop 32, visit www.troop32dundee.org or www.facebook.com/BoyScoutTroop32DundeeIL/.