Lincoln

FRANKFORT, IL — For his Eagle project with Boy Scout Troop 318, Lincoln-Way East rising sophomore Jack McDonnell, restored a historic highway marker in front of Lincoln-Way Central High School, according to a release from the District.

The Lincoln Highway marker was originally installed by the Boy Scouts nearly 100 years ago, the District said.

Jack had to meet with the Will County Land Use Department Development Review Division to secure a Certificate of Appropriateness, which was necessary to begin work on the project. To raise money for supplies, Jack organized a fundraiser at Gatto's in New Lenox, who donated the food and event space. As the marker and gazebo are on Lincoln-Way Central property, McDonnell worked closely with Dr. McNamara and other administrators to ensure the renovation would be well-received by staff and students, the District said.

Over the span of three workdays, McDonnell and several other volunteers went to work to restore the highway marker. They washed and sanded down the gazebo and primed it for painting, then painted the gazebo and planted perennials. On the final day, Jack inspected their work and did any necessary touch-ups, the District said.

The project was completed at the end of April, with the addition of several solar lights to illuminate the signage and highway marker. All supplies leftover from the project were donated to the school district, as per Boy Scout Eagle Project guidelines.

"We want to congratulate Jack for his hard work and dedication to this project and thank him for renovating an important and historical part of our Central campus," the District said in a release.