Three Willowbrook students earn Eagle Scout status

Pictured are (from left) Willowbrook seniors Max Hield, Carl Tankersley and Ethan Rojek. Those three students have earned Eagle Scout status, the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouts of America. They are all members of Troop 242.

Three Willowbrook students have earned Eagle Scout status, the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouts of America.

Those who receive that rank earn at least 21 merit badges and demonstrate Scout Spirit through the Boy Scout Oath and Law, service and leadership (which includes organizing, planning and completing an extensive service project in the community).

Senior Carl Tankersley
Tankersley is with Troop 242, and he joined Boy Scouts in 2005. He said he joined because a lot of his friends participated as well, and he has continued with the organization because of everything he has learned and the fun experiences he has enjoyed.

Tankersley made Eagle Scout this past November, and his Eagle Scout project was replacing the lights at his church (St. Paul Lutheran Church in Villa Park) with LED bulbs. He said the project took about three months and 400 man hours to complete and involved taking apart and rewiring more than 400 light fixtures. He also raised about $2,500 to buy LED lights and then installed those bulbs.

Tankersley said his goal is to stay involved with Boy Scouts through serving as an adult leader. He plans to attend college and major in math and astrophysics and then pursue a doctorate in one of those fields.

Seniors Ethan Rojek and Max Hield
Rojek and Hield are with Troop 242, and they joined Boy Scouts in 2006 and 2005, respectively. Rojek said he joined because he enjoys camping and helping the community. Hield joined because a lot of his friends participated as well, and he has continued with the organization because of the skills he has learned and the fun experiences he has enjoyed.

Rojek made Eagle Scout this past January, and Hield received Eagle Scout status this past November. They worked together to complete their Eagle Scout project, which was beautifying the entrance to the Great Western Trail in Villa Park. The project involved working with the Village of Villa Park on the development of the various aspects, raising funds, cleaning up debris from the area, planting trees and installing a concrete patio and four benches. They said it took about 18 months to complete.

Both students plan to stay involved with Boy Scouts in some capacity, and Hield is on the committee for his Troop. Rojek plans to attend college and major in math and possibly linguistics. Hield plans to major in business management and continue working with the electronic sports company he created in March 2017.