St. Edward senior is working on Eagle Scout project

Luca Corso, a senior at St. Edward Central Catholic High School in Elgin, is working on his Eagle Scout rank.

Corso, the son of Vito and Maria Corso, started Cub Scouts with Pack 399, Hoffman Estates, in the third grade. He eventually transitioned into Boy Scouts Troop 399 and is currently seeking the highest rank one can achieve in the Boy Scouts of America.

To receive an Eagle Scout rank, Scouts are required to complete a service project. Corso chose to make lap boards for benefactor Amita Alexian Brothers Women and Children's Hospital in Hoffman Estates.

He got this idea after recently being in the hospital himself. He came to the realization that a lap board would be useful for reading, coloring and other activities for patients of all ages.

Corso's design was approved by the troop and the hospital. After nearly 70 hours of working on the boards, he donated 15 lap boards to the hospital.

Corso completed this service project with the help of the Michael S. DeLarco Foundation, a nonprofit organization in memory of a member of Troop 399 who passed away. The DeLarco foundation paid for the materials for the project.

Mary Kate Dvorak, a representative of Alexian Brothers Women and Children's Hospital, said, "Luca's project was a great idea, and the lap boards have already been in use by our patients."

Corso will graduate in May and plans to study criminal justice sciences in college next year. His advice for anyone looking to achieve their Eagle Scout rank is, "Take it step-by-step, work diligently, and keep the goal in mind. You aren't only doing this project for the benefit of you having your Eagle Scout rank, you're doing it for the benefit of a greater cause."