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Becoming an Eagle Scout is not easy, because it is performance-based, with some challenging requirements. Statistics show that only 4-to-6 percent of Boy Scouts achieve the rank.
Even more uncommon are female Eagle Scouts, at least for now, but the numbers are climbing. Lincoln-Way East High School senior Lily Bonovich is among them.
The 16-year-old honors student is the first in the area to have earned the prestigious status after completing an outdoor learning area for her required Eagle Scout Service Project.
The funny thing about Lily becoming an Eagle is that she didn’t initially plan to pursue it. She joined Frankfort Boy Scout Troop 732, under Scoutmaster Caitlin McCully, in the summer of 2019, the first year girls were allowed to sign up with B.S.A.
“At the very beginning of my scouting journey, I had no intentions on getting Eagle,” she said, “but after COVID, I realized how much I love the program. I saw my friends achieving Eagle, and I saw how amazing it would be to achieve this accomplishment. That is when I really wanted to achieve Eagle Rank.”
Equally inspiring, Lilly said, “was seeing all the younger scouts in my troop looking up to me, just like how I looked up to the older scouts, specifically my friend Russell. I wanted to be a role model to my troop, show that there are so many opportunities out there, and that it is all possible to achieve.”
She got another little dose of encouragement from her brother, Josh, who already had achieved his Eagle rank after building a concrete chess table for Frankfort Square Park.
There are myriad other requirements to reach Eagle rank, including serving as a Life Scout for at least six months, earning a minimum of 21 merit badges, demonstrating leadership within the troop, and passing a notoriously nerve-wracking Eagle Scout board of review, all before turning 18 years of age.
But the service project is significant. It must benefit the community and cannot be political or designated for a single individual. Lily’s project was dedicated to kids who love outdoor learning.
“My Eagle project,” she explained, “is an outdoor learning seating area at Dr. Julian Rogus Elementary School. There are painted mushrooms and wood benches for the students to sit on and a wood table and stool for the teacher.
“When I attended Rogus, I loved to have class outside,” she added, “but we would always have to sit on the sidewalk or on the grass, and I wanted to give the students, now and in the future, a place where they can enjoy learning outside in the fresh air as much as I did.”
For Lily, the hardest part was waiting.
“The planning process, getting approval from the school, and finding the materials for this project took about eight months,” she said. “Actually building it, painting it, and installing it took about two months.
“The most difficult part about this project for me was time. Waiting for each layer of paint to dry, waiting for the approvals, and finding time to get it all done with my busy summer full of other scouting adventures.”
But complete it, she did, with help from her friends and her dad, Earl.
“I would like to say thanks to my entire troop, my scoutmasters, my family, and friends. I also want to thank my friends Nara, MJ, Halley, Kai, and Alexis, who all helped me build and install my project. This project would not have been completed without all their help and support.
“I would like to say thanks to my dad, who helped me through my project, my scouting journey, and just my life in general,” she continued. “His constant support and advice has guided me through many challenges, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”
Earl Bonovich and Lily’s mother, Anne, couldn’t be prouder of their daughter’s achievement.
“As a dad, all we want is for our kids to find good friends, find their way, and be happy,” Earl said. “I am truly blessed that Lily has found that. She has found her place, her true friends, and loves what she is doing.
“Seeing her go from a timid young person, to a strong and confident leader is absolutely amazing. Seeing the respect she has earned from Scouts and Scout Adult leaders is truly amazing. I know in my heart Lily and the people she has surrounded herself with are going to make our future so much better for everyone.”
For the Honor Roll and National Honor Society student, becoming an Eagle has been a life-changing experience.
“Reaching the rank of Eagle has made a huge impact in my life. The feeling of achieving this amazing accomplishment has increased my confidence so much, and knowing that I gave back to the school that I grew up in, hoping it will brighten a student’s or teacher’s day.
“I have recently been recognized as Student of the Month for November at LWE because of my project and achievement of Eagle Rank. Being one of the first female scouts to earn the Eagle Rank feels incredible, and hoping that more will come soon, and that the number of female Eagle Scouts will continue to grow as this organization continues to grow.”
Plans are to hold her Court of Honor in March at a local park district.
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