Troop 149 Celebrates Five New Eagle Scouts

Lemont IL

14 October, 2021

10:46 AM

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LEMONT, IL — Troop 149 in Lemont held an Eagle Court of Honor on Sunday, celebrating five scouts who have earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the troop said. Eagle Scout is the highest recognition that Scouts BSA offers to scouts. John Beecher, Ryan Schmidt, Nicholas Smyth, Andrew Tilly and Robert Zank all earned the rank of Eagle Scout, the troop said. To achieve Eagle, the five scouts had to meet several requirements, including earning 13 required merit badges, eight additional merit badges of your choice, remaining active in the troop and holding a position of leadership, and planning and developing a service project which benefits a religious institution, school or community organization, the troop said. For their service projects, the five scouts worked with a variety of community organizations. John Beecher's project benefitted St. James at Sag Bridge Catholic Church. With the help of 18 people and a combined total of 174 hours of community service, the group scraped off the old paint and rust, and then rust coated and repainted 117 feet of iron fencing and railing surrounding the grotto area, the troop said. Ryan Schmidt created a large-scale chess and checkerboard at Lemont Park District's Centennial Outdoor Aquatics Center. Schmidt painted the board on cement and created a cabinet to store the chess pieces. The troop said 25 people helped with the project, for over 202 community service hours. Nick Smyth's project involved cleaning, prepping, priming and painting two coats of paint to the exterior of the Lemont 22 Honor VFW Post 5819 building. 30 people helped with the project for a combined total of 226 service hours, the troop said. Working with the Lemont Library and the Lemont Park District, Andrew Tilly installed the storybook walk at Mayfair Park. 33 people contributed 220 service hours to see the project completed, the troop said. Robert Zank also worked with the Lemont Library, and created a community food pantry that sits in front of the library building. He also led volunteers to collect and distribute donated items on the day of the Scouting for Food Drive. 19 people contributed 136 hours to the project, according to the troop. Committee Chair Elaina Salmon said the five new Eagle Scouts have hiked 1,323 miles, camped 458 nights and completed 1,071 community service hours throughout their time in Scouts BSA. All five also earned more than the minimum 21 merit badges required. Troop 149 will host its annual pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon on Oct. 24. All are welcome to attend, and it is $10 for adults and $8 for children. Money raised helps support future Eagle Scouts, the troop said. For more news and information like this, subscribe to the Lemont Patch for free. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here. Don't forget to like us on Facebook!