Willowbrook alumnus earns Eagle Scout status

Willowbrook alumnus Daniel McEllin (class of 2016) recently 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).

McEllin is with Troop 242. He joined Cub Scouts when he was in first grade and transitioned to Boy Scouts when he was in fifth grade.

“I have always had a love for the outdoors, so it only seemed natural for my parents to enroll me in my local Cub Scout pack in 2004,” McEllin said. “After the switch from Cub Scout to Boy Scout, what made me stick around was the amount of activities one can do in scouting and the prospect of actually doing them.”

For his Eagle Scout project, McEllin removed overgrown bushes near St. Paul Lutheran Church in Villa Park and cleared debris from underneath the bushes. He then planted 34 new, smaller bushes, as well as some wild grasses. McEllin said he had to plan out his project and get it approved by a Council representative. He then had to fundraise to buy the new plants, and he raised more than $300. He said the project took nearly 130 hours of manpower to complete (not including the planning process).

McEllin said he will continue with the Boy Scouts program by serving as Assistant Scoutmaster with Troop 242.

“(Assuming that role) will not only allow me to continue being a part of my troop, but it also will give me a larger capacity of giving back to my troop in the form of teaching future and current scouts about different scouting-related subjects,” McEllin said.

McEllin will begin his college education at Illinois State University this fall, where he plans to major in social studies education.