Matt Bohnert of Troop 316 Earns Eagle Scout Rank
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Matt Bohnert of Scout troop 316 in Chester has achieved the highest rank possible in the Boy Scout program, that of Eagle.
Matt began his Scouting career in 2002 in first grade as a Tiger Cub. While in the Cub Scout program he moved through the ranks of Bobcat, Wolf, Bear, and Webelos. He earned the highest award in Cub Scouts, the Arrow of Light, on February 1, 2007. On April 16, 2007 he joined the Boy Scouts.
As a Boy Scout he worked his way through the ranks of Scout, Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and on June 22, 2010 he successfully completed his Board of Review for that of Eagle.
In order to earn the Eagle rank a Scout must complete the required merit badges, hold leadership positions within the troop, and complete a service project, and participate in a board of review. Matt has earned an extensive list of merit badges which include: Fishing , Archery, Canoeing, Communications, Environmental Science, Swimming, Indian Lore , Archaeology, Space Exploration, Personal Fitness, Home Repairs, Snow Sports (Skiing), Reptile & Amphibian Study Fingerprinting, First Aid , Electricity, Geology, Law, Fish & Wildlife Management, Citizenship in the Community, Emergency Preparedness, Oceanography, Animal Science, Automotive Maintenance, Camping, Citizenship in the World, Personal Management Medicine, Citizenship in the Nation Fire Safety, Family Life, Horsemanship, Chemistry, American Heritage, Collections, Wood Carving
In his troop he has held the positions of Den Chief, Historian, Assistant Patrol Leader, Patrol Leader, Assistant Senior Patrol Leader, and Senior Patrol Leader.
Matt completed an impressive Eagle Scout Service Project which consisted of the construction of a 20' X 30' pavilion on a concrete pad with an adjoining sidewalk which is located at Chester Grade School, which he nicknamed "The Hive" in honor of the school mascot, a yellow jacket. His project involved 32 volunteers who put in more that 524 hours of work. The average Eagle Scout project is usually about 150 hours. The pavilion will be used as an outdoor classroom by the students and teachers at Chester Grade School.
His Court of Honor took place Saturday, August 14, 2010 at St. Mary's Church. A dinner reception hosted by his parents followed the ceremony. In addition to receiving his Eagle Scout award, he was presented with a plaque which will hang in his project by Principal Tim Lochhead of Chester Grade School. The plaque reads, "'The Hive' completed as an Eagle Scout Project by Matt Bohnert, CGS Class of 2010". Matt is the first Eagle Scout of Troop 316. He is currently a freshman at Chester High School, where he plays football and will soon join the trapshooting team. After high school he would like to attend the United States Air Force Academy and begin a career as a pilot.
Matt is the son of Joe and Mary Bohnert and the brother of Jake Bohnert and Lance Bohnert. Matt's brother Jake is also an Eagle Scout. He is the grandson of Greg and Rosemary Crain, and Pat Bohnert, all of Chester, Illinois. Troop 316 is chartered by American Legion Alva Courier Post 487.