Ryan Loitz, a member of BSA Troop 16 chartered at Federated Church in Sycamore, was recently awarded the Eagle Rank, the highest award achievable in Boy Scouts. Ryan is the son of Jeff and Deb Loitz of Sycamore.
Ryan began his scouting journey in First grade in Cub Scout Pack 102 at Southeast Elementary School. He earned all five Cub Scout ranks and the Arrow of Light (the highest award given in Cub Scouts). Ryan continued his trail to Eagle with Boy Scout Troop 16 serving as Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, and Webmaster. He attended numerous campouts, community service events, activities, and attended Canyon Camp and Tesomas Summer Camps. He enjoyed two High Adventure Micro Trek adventures in 2015 and 2016. Ryan was inducted into the Order of the Arrow in 2016 and earned 23 merit badges during his scouting career.
Ryan’s Eagle Project, “Recycle Your Cycle: For a Wheelie Good Cause” entailed collecting gently-used adult and youth bicycles and repairing the bikes to working condition. With the assistance of the non-profit organization, Axletree, they donated 105 bikes, helmets, and locks to people in need to Safe Passage and University Village in DeKalb, and Blackstone Bicycle Works in Chicago. His project accumulated over 418 combined service hours and took 9 months to complete. Ryan reflects, “I wanted to do a project to help make our community a better place and help people in need, and found there was a need for transportation to help people get to work and school. It was an honor working with Aaron Nevdal and Axletree and to be able to provide a way to help people get where they need to be. I was also excited to be able to donate adult and youth bikes to some parents and their children to encourage family time while helping to offer opportunities for families to enjoy a healthy activity together.”
To achieve the Eagle rank, each scout must earn a minimum of 22 merit badges, remain active in their troop, live by the Principles of the Scout Oath and Scout Law, complete a service project, and participate in an Eagle Board of Review with all requirements being completed before their 18 th birthday. This is quite an achievement as only about 5 percent of all Boy Scouts achieve the rank of Eagle. This prestigious award is recognized by colleges, the workforce, and all branches of the armed forces.
Ryan recently held his formal Eagle Ceremony and was awarded his Eagle rank at Sycamore United Methodist Church. Ryan comments, “I am very excited to receive the rank of Eagle. It is very meaningful to me and an honor to be a part of an elite select group, and I hope to be a role model for younger scouts and help them achieve their goal of attaining Eagle. I am thankful for all the wonderful opportunities and adventures I had throughout my scouting career that will help me continue to live a positive lifestyle and I look forward to what the next chapter brings.”
Ryan just completed his Junior year at Sycamore High School (SHS) and is a member of the SHS Marching Band, Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, and performed in the ILMEA All-State Honors Band. He is also a member of the SHS National Honors Society. Additionally, he volunteers regularly at the Sycamore United Methodist Church (SUMC) Food Pantry and is a member of the SUMC Spirit Wind music ensemble. He is looking forward to his Senior year, and then plans to attend college majoring in the medical sciences; he also plans to remain active in scouting with Troop 16.
Troop 16 is a strong troop with over 30 active scouts. Any boy aged 11 through 18 is invited to join; no past scouting experience or background is required. Troop 16 meets most Sunday evenings from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm at the Federated Church in Sycamore. For more information, please contact Scoutmaster Tom Peterson at TPeterson10@me.com or 815.546.0894.
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