Willowbrook senior earns Eagle Scout status

Willowbrook senior Ryan Riley (pictured above) recently earned Eagle Scout status, the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouts of America.

Those who receive that rank earn a total of 21 merit badges; demonstrate Scout Oath and Scout Law in their daily life; and plan, develop and give leadership to others in a service project. Read more about the Eagle Scout process at https://tinyurl.com/EagleScoutInfo.

Riley is with Troop 417, and he joined Cub Scouts in 2015. Riley said he was inspired to sign up because he enjoys being outdoors and camping and was excited to get to do that more often.

For his Eagle Scout project, Riley organized a pinewood derby for an afterschool program in Chicago comprised of underprivileged young black children. He said it took about five months and 144 hours to plan and complete the project, which included asking for donations from Ace Hardware, reaching out to a Cub Scout pack to donate the track and gathering volunteers from his troop and Willowbrook. The process also involved Riley and the volunteers meeting with the kids once or twice a week for about a month to help them build, paint and decorate their pinewood derby cars.

Riley serves as a Troop Guide and said he wants to stay involved with Boy Scouts as a Scoutmaster in the future. He plans to attend NEED COLLEGE to major in biology and minor in business.