Mount Prospect teen earns Eagle rank

Posted October 16, 2018 11:00 pm

Submitted by Vito Rago

As part of Gianni Rago's Eagle Scout project, a butterfly garden is planted at Centennial Park in Mount Prospect. Courtesy of Vito Rago

Gianni Rago started Cub Scouts with Pack 154 out of Mount Prospect when he was in second grade, crossing over to Boy Scout Troop 155 and the end of fifth grade. He was 10 years old. Gianni was elected and inducted into the Order of the Arrow (National Honor Society of the Boy Scouts of America) by his troop members four years ago. On Aug. 22, the 2018 Prospect High School, Mount Prospect, graduate earned his Eagle Scout rank.

In 2014, the Mount Prospect Centennial Commission was formed to help envision how to celebrate Mount Prospect's 100-year anniversary in 2017. One of the projects of this milestone was the creation of Centennial Park, behind Mount Prospect Plaza, off Rand and N. Westgate roads, which also required an additional 700-square-foot butterfly garden.

Back in April 2017, Gianni contacted Mount Prospect Public Works Deputy Director Jason Leib to inquire if the village had any projects they could entrust him with for an Eagle Scout project. After Leib, Mount Prospect Forestry Superintendent Dave Hull and Public Works Grounds Division Foreman Victor Pierce discussed the possibilities, they decided they would be able to incorporate the butterfly garden at Centennial Park at the northeast corner of Centennial Drive and Westgate Road, just east and north of the Mount Prospect Plaza.

Pierce continued to meet with Gianni, who chose the plants and the palette for the butterfly garden, cultivated the soil and planted the plants. The garden was completed in July 2017, with the installation of a bench right in front of the butterfly garden where the senior citizens of Centennial Apartments can sit and enjoy the garden.

Gianni currently attends the Milwaukee School of Engineering, where he is majoring in computer engineering. His hobbies and interests are collegiate wrestling, computers/computer hardware, music, exercising, camping, hiking, fishing and traveling.

Gianni's two younger brothers, Luigi and Massimo, are following his foot steps. They are currently First Class Boy Scouts with Troop 155.

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Eagle Scout Gianni Rago Courtesy of Vito Rago

Gianni Rago tills the soil for planting of a butterfly garden at Centennial Park in Mount Prospect. Courtesy of Vito Rago

Gianni Rago and fellow Scouts from Troop 155 ready the soil for planting of a butterfly garden in Centennial Park. Courtesy of Vito Rago

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