Residents, Little Sisters, volunteers and visitors witnessed a marvelous event on Sunday, March 11, 2012. With gratitude and pride we shared our Sunday liturgy with over 150 families of Boy Scout Troop 166 from Arlington Heights, IL. The occasion was the awarding of the honor of Eagle Scout which was achieved by William Edward Beiersdorf a student from St. Viator’s High School in Arlington Heights.
William began his trail to Eagle in February 2005 and has now ended with the prestigious title of Eagle Scout and reception of the Eagle Badge. Along the way to this achievement, Will demonstrated great courage and determination, resulting in the Ranks of Arrow of Light, Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Life, and finally Eagle. Each of these steps and each Rank came with much effort. His achievements included archery, art, athletics, basketry, camping, community citizenship, climbing, communications, emergency preparedness, environmental science, family life, first aid, fishing, forestry, Indian Lore, mammal study, metalwork, music, painting, path finding, personal fitness, personal management, reptile and amphibian study, rifle shooting, salesmanship, shotgun shooting, small boat sailing, swimming, water and wilderness survival and wood carving. The rank of Eagle Scout in rarely accomplished and it is easy to understand why.
William and his family have become good friends of the Little Sisters and their generosity to our Home is greatly appreciated. Will’s Eagle Scout Project took place on our grounds at the location of our flag pole in the front of the building. After enlisting a plan, securing volunteers to help him, and the energy needed to take on the project, Will transformed a small circular area surrounding the flag pole into a concrete pathway. This enables our elderly residents to approach the flag and walk around it with safety and much satisfaction. Bushes, flowers, lights and a transformed pole, that no longer bears the rust of years of battling the wind and cold Chicago area, have helped to transform the area. William has dedicated the path to our Residents, particularly the Veterans and has named it the “Patriot’s Path”. In the future, on the National Holidays when we typically visit this area to pay tribute to our American Flag, we will certainly remember Will, his family, and the Boy Scouts of America with a special prayer of gratitude and love.
Congratulations Eagle Scout, William Beiersdorf