Whiz Kid: Jonathan Ferrari

○ Whiz Kid's Name: Jonathan Ferrari
○ Whiz Kid's School:
○ Whiz Kid's Accomplishment: Winning the Eagle Scout Award, a feat that requires 21 badges and completing a community service project. Less than 2 percent of Boy Scouts earn this rank.
○ Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness: Ferrari is a member of Three Fires Council, Troop 507.  Ferrari chose to address the issue of limited outdoor seating at LSHS by leading fellow scouts and adults in the building of two stationary benches and two picnic tables. 

Ferrari explained, “As a student at Lisle Senior High, I had the opportunity to see what the students needed, and I wondered how I could contribute to these needs. Students wait for rides everyday in front of the main entrance and there has always been a shortage of seating. I was one of the students waiting for a ride often and I was very aware that there was very limited seating.”

Over two hundred hours of planning and two days of labor from Ferrari and others including fellow Lisle High scouts Neal Kfoury and Michael Swartz were necessary to complete the project.  One of their challenges was to dig in soil full of rocks and roots, but Ferrari related that student response makes him feel that the project was successful.  

“Several students have approached me and indicated they were impressed and thankful.  I have gotten a lot of positive attention from teachers and staff who say they enjoy eating lunch at the picnic tables when the weather is nice.”

When asked what he means to him to now be an Eagle Scout, Ferrari said, “I'll be honest and say that it took a short while for the accomplishment to set in. I feel as if attaining the rank makes me obligated to always do good and to make something out of myself, just as many Eagle Scouts and great leaders have done in the past.”

About this column: Each week, Lisle Patch will seek suggestions from readers for individual kids, youth groups, teens, and even sports teams that wow us with their
accomplishments. We want to hear about these amazing children and teens and
select one each week as the Patch Whiz Kid. Submit your nomination in our comment box below or e-mail the information to karlie@patch.com. Be sure to include all the nominee's name, age, school, accomplishment and a photo!