Palatine Boy Scout Earns Eagle Rank

Tom Hein of Palatine Boy Scout Troop 188 was recently awarded the rank of Eagle Scout during a Court of Honor September 15, 2016, in Palatine.

Hein's Eagle Scout project took place June 17 and 18th, 2016, at a home in Arlington Heights, and involved receiving cleaning and repacking computer equipment and parts for donation to Free Geek Chicago. FreeGeek

Chicago is a not-for-profit community organization that recycles used computers and parts to provide functional computers, education, internet access and job skills training to those who want them. His service project developed leadership skills and his knowledge of project planning, including "sweating the details."

Hein graduated from Palatine High School in June. In addition to his Scouting activities, he was involved in the Computer Club and was recognized as an Illinois State Scholar 2016.

He was the Senior Patrol Leader for Troop 188 during the entire 2015-2016 year and led the Troops activities and planning.

Palatine High School offered a 4-year program in manufacturing and Tom became actively involved as a freshman. Specifically interested in CNC programming in the Manufacturing Department at Palatine High School, Tom was encouraged by his instructor, Mark Hibner, and introduced Tom to the program. He was fortunate to be one of the 10 final candidates selected for the joint program created by German Chamber of Commerce and hosted by Harper College. The focus of Tom’s apprenticeship is CNC programming. He is the sole apprentice selected for Wittenstein Corporation located in Bartlett for Fall 2016. Support for this program includes manufacturing companies surrounding the I90 corridor which see the benefit in this Apprenticeship program.