Matthew Heberlie named Eagle Scout of the Year
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[During the Lewis and Clark Council Volunteer Recognition Dinner on March 22, 2012. Matthew Heberlie was awarded with the honor of being their Eagle Scout of the Year.
Matthew started the scouting program with Pack 316 of Chester, IL, during Aug. 2000. He climbed through the ranks of Cub Scout and Webelos and bridged over into the Boy Scout Troop 305 of Chester with Paul Rahlfs as Scoutmaster. With each rank and merit badge earned, his goal of Eagle Scout got closer.
During Aug. 2009, Matt started his Eagle Scout Project which was the Refurbishing of the Historical Chester City Steps. His project consisted of clearing out the sides of the steps, which were approx. 615 feet long, and having 266 steps. The top and bottom entrances were enhanced by making them more noticeable to the public. Walk ways were marked to keep the public from venturing onto private property. Matt's involvement of the steps had him working with the Chester Tourism Commission, the Chester Beautification Commission, Chester's City Street Department, the Glister Mary Lee Corporation, and Chester's Mayor Joe Eggemeyer. With over 700 hours and almost 2 years later, he completed his project and on August 23, 2011, Matt appeared before the Eagle Board of Review and became an Eagle Scout. On Nov. 13, 2011, an Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony was held in his honor. There he received his Eagle Scout Medal, Badge, Neckerchief, and his certificate from the Boy Scouts of America.
At the 2012 Youth Recognition Banquet which was held on March 9, 2012, at Scott Air Force Base, Matthew was recognized as part of the Lewis and Clark's Eagle Scout Class of 2011. There were a total of 155 scouts who had made the rank of Eagle Scout. Also that night, Matthew was presented an award on being 1 of 5 Outstanding Eagle Scouts. Out of those five, the 2011 Eagle Scout Project of the Year and 2011 Eagle Scout of the Year would be picked.
On March 22, Matt was announced as the 2011 Eagle Scout of the Year., He received a certificate and also an Eagle Head Statue to commemorate this title.
The Lewis and Clark Council consist of Bond, Calhoun, Clay, Clinton, Greene, Jefferson, Jersey, Macoupin, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington, and Wayne counties in Illinois.