13 Scouts From Lemont Troop 49 Earn Eagle Rank

LEMONT, IL — Family, friends, community and Boy Scout leaders gathered together on Saturday, Jan. 7 for a unique event. Thirteen young men from Troop 49 in Lemont—Ryan Lambe; Austin Parduhn; Owen Doherty; Anthony Popper; Spenser Bailey; Harrison Schatz; Joseph Kelly; Nicholas Yanku; Christopher Paulius; Frank Gomulka; Alexander Paulius; Michael Lyewski and Kurtis Huegelmann—were honored for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest honor. Twelve of these scouts are current or recent graduates of Lemont High School, while one attends Benet Academy in Lisle.

To earn the rank of Eagle, takes years. The scouts must fulfill rank requirements starting at the age of 10 or 11. They must hold leadership positions, provide service to the community and earn a minimum of 21 Eagle-required merit badges, although most earn many more. The final step in the process is to undertake a community service project. Their role is to lead the project and demonstrate their leadership skills. The scout must complete his project and the required merit badges by his 18 birthday.

Back Row L-R: Alex Paulius, Ryan Lambe, Chris Paulius, Joe Kelly, Owen Doherty, Anthony Popper

Front Row L-R: Austin Parduhn, Kurt Huegelmann, Frank Gomulka, Mike Lyewski, Harrison Schatz, Spenser Bailey, Nick Yanku

The projects they undertook were diverse, but the steps required were the same. In some cases the scouts chose a project that was meaningful to them in some way. In other cases, community groups came to our troop and asked if we had someone who could undertake a project needed by the organization. Cumulatively, their projects contributed thousands of service hours to the community. Twelve of the thirteen projects were completed in Lemont.

The impressive thing about these young men is their diversity. They are athletes and scholars. They pursue interests in music and STEM. Although their schedules are full, each of them has made time for Scouting because it was important to them. The Scouting program afforded them the opportunity to develop and refine their interest In addition to exploring possible career choices. Two plan to become doctors; several are interested in engineering or business, others are considering becoming teachers, all of them hope to maintain some connection to the scouting program.

Read about the young men and their journeys to become Eagle Scouts.

Troop 49 (3) by Lauren Traut on Scribd