A Work of Art, a Labor of Love for This Eagle Scout Candidate

Name: Tyler Strezo

Age: 14

School: Freshman at York High School

Achievement: Working towards Eagle rank in Elmhurst Boy Scout Troop 82, Tyler has overseen a group of Scouts and volunteers to design and construct three tables and 18 chairs for the Elmhurst Park District’s at .

Key to Awesomeness: Tyler’s back yard has been converted into a woodworking shop for three consecutive Saturdays, part of a leadership project he has chosen to earn his Eagle rank in Boy Scouts.

Strezo contacted the Elmhurst Park District to find out how his service project also benefit the community.

The child-sized tables and chairs will replace plastic furniture at the Eldridge Nature Center. The building, formerly called the Eldridge Park Recreation Building, is now changing its focus to for children.

“I found a puzzle chair and table set, with chalkboard paint,” Tyler says. “So after we get it all painted and finished, we’re going to give [the Nature Center] a box of chalks in different colors so [the children] can draw during the classes.”

Walter Salek, Tyler’s Eagle coach, says to earn the Eagle rank, a Scout must lead and conduct a service project that’s going to benefit a community or nonprofit group. Within those parameters, the Eagle candidate has to formulate a plan and show initiative and follow-through.

“In this case, Tyler has arranged and coordinated with adults who are either carpenters or do woodworking as a hobby, directing them when they’re on site,” Salek says. 

He adds that Tyler also was responsible for directing the scores of volunteers who showed up to help—including Girl Scouts earning service hours—of all ages.

“He learns to deal with a different group of people, and he learns about planning,” Salek says. “One of the things Scouts always learn is that something always goes wrong. You don’t know what it’s going to be, so you have to change and adapt your plan … and if you still want to have a successful end, then you need to be able to adapt.”

Tyler is a leader, Salek says.

“He may not think he is, but he does the right things, like being there and setting an example. He guides and directs in a way that’s more like an older brother—not as if to say, ‘I’m the guy in charge and therefore you have to listen to me.’ ”