Willowbrook junior earns Eagle Scout status

Willowbrook junior Austin Stoner recently earned Eagle Scout status, the highest rank attainable in Boy Scouts of America.

Those who earn 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.

Stoner has been with Troop 330 since he was in first grade and has enjoyed every minute of it.

“I continued with the Boy Scouts program because it was a fun way to learn life skills, as well as socialize with my friends,” Stoner said.

For his Eagle Scout project, Stoner built dugouts at the Jefferson Middle School fields in Villa Park.

“I chose that project because I remember playing there as a young boy, and there was no shelter,” he said. “On rainy and windy days, it was tough not having shelter for the teams.”

The first steps of the project consisted of contacting village officials, outlining a detailed plan, drawing a potential structure and securing funding from the Villa Park Parks and Recreation.

“Once we completed those initial tasks, we had to do a little trial and error before we settled on steel as the final building material,” Stoner said. “Steel seemed to be the most wind and weather resistant.”

The remainder of the project consisted of welding the steel, painting, rewashing the dugout, securing the structure with concrete and finishing it off with a final coat of paint.

“The project took about five months to complete,” Stoner said. “I was actually injured in the middle of the project, so from conception to completion, it took about seven months.”

Stoner plans to continue with the Boy Scouts program to earn more merit badges and assist other Scouts. After he graduates from Willowbrook, Stoner plans to pursue a college education and major in biochemistry.