Eight years later, an Eagle takes flight

By Joan Hadac

Your correspondent in Clearing and Garfield Ridge

(708) 496-0265 • joan.hadac@gmail.com

Hi everyone. I want to tell you about the eight-year journey of one young man, which started in fourth grade at Kinzie School and ended just recently.

His journey took him from Cub Scout Pack 3625 at Kinzie School through Boy Scout Troop 1439, based out of St. Symphorosa (now Two Holy Martyrs) Parish.

Last fall, Boy Scout Nathan Aburto built a miniature lending library outside St. Symphorosa School. The library was his Eagle Scout project. Less than 10% of all Boy Scouts will earn the rank of Eagle. –Supplied photo

Nathan Aburto was honored in a ceremony during the second week of February when he was recognized as an Eagle Scout. Each Boy Scout who wants to earn Eagle Scout status must complete a major project that in some way helps the community. Nathan chose to build and install a lending library at St. Symphorosa School. Planning and building the project took him a month, he said.

“I thought I could help the kids further their learning by building this library,” he said. “I always liked to read and thought I could pass along the love of reading.

“I felt proud of what I achieved,” he added “It doesn’t benefit me. It benefits the kids at St. Sym’s. I’m happy I gave something back to the community.”

Building a lending library seemed like a natural fit for Nathan.

“My brother’s a carpenter, and I work with him,” he said. “He showed me all the tools I would need and I thought, ‘Great. I’ll create a lending library.’ It combined my love of books with my ability to build.”

Along the way he had the total support of his parents, Presiliana and Rafael Aburto.

A key part of any Eagle Scout project is reporting the results to a Scouting committee of adults, who evaluate the project from concept through completion. Aburto’s project was approved and his Eagle status granted. –Supplied photo

“He worked really hard,” Presiliana said with pride.

“My parents supported me and pushed me to keep going, to just continue to be in Scouts no matter what was going on at the moment. A lot of people supported me, including my whole family,” Nathan emphasized.

His family includes his seven siblings, ranging in age from 40 to 21. Nathan is the youngest at 18. He graduated from Kinzie in 2017 and continued his education at Kennedy High School, graduating in 2021. He will continue his education at Daley College, where he will be studying to be an automotive technician.

While the pandemic raged on, Nathan kept attending his Scout meetings online. (Now Troop 1439 meets at the St. Rene Goupil campus.) Scouting will be in his future, as well. Eagle Scouts have a few options if they want to stay active in Scouting. Nathan wants to be certified to teach a merit badge class, one that Boy Scouts would be interested in.

“Scouting has always been a positive influence. I tried to live by Scout law. It taught me how to be a leader, and I try to be the best I can be,” Nathan concluded.

Congratulations, Nathan. A job well done.

Over at the Clearing Branch Library

Congratulations to Clear Ridge Historical Society President Rob Bitunjac, also the branch manager at the Clearing Branch Library, being tapped to talk about the history of Clearing on the Jan. 6 episode of Chicago Tonight on WTTW Channel 11.

The In Your Neighborhood segment was broadcast live from the Clearing Branch Library. Rob discussed the origin of the Clearing name and a bit about Midway Airport. If you would like to see Rob on Chicago Tonight visit, news.wttw.com/2022/01/06/Chicago-tonight-your-neighborhood-clearing. Good going, Rob.

Rob also let me know that the Clear-Ridge Historical Society will be hosting the Midway Historians at the Clearing Branch Library in April. So, mark your calendars for 1 p.m. Sunday, April 3 and show up at the library, 6423 W. 63^rd Place, for an and spend an interesting afternoon with the Midway Historians, a group of individuals dedicated to preserving the history of the airport.

They collect pictures, documents and oral histories of the airport. You can stop by to talk with them, share any photos or stories you have or just sit back and learn about the history of the airport right here in our neighborhood.

Thanks, Rob, for sharing your news.

Once again, as I’m writing this column we are expecting ice and snow. How many inches depends on what report you read or saw. I’m hearing anything from 2 to 4 inches or 6 to 10 inches of snow. If we have to have snow, I’m hoping it’s the latter. Come on spring!

Take care of yourself, and I’ll see you next week.