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45-year teacher: It’s all about trust, patience and perseverance

  Jack Dunlavy of Homewood
  worked to restore the
  Stations of the Cross display
  for his Eagle Scout project.

Jack Dunlavy became the 110th member of Boy Scout Troop 342 to earn the rank of Eagle Scout.

Dunlavy earned the required 21 badges and then took on the task of making major improvements to an outdoor display of the Stations of the Cross at St. Anne Church in Hazel Crest.

Dunlavy said he chose this project because “I knew the church had done so much for me, and I wanted to give back.”

At the urging of his mother, Colleen Dunlavy, the Homewood teen completed the Eagle Scout project just as he turned 18—the cutoff for earning the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

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Once he got approval from church pastor Rev. Ralph Zwirn, Dunlavy brought his proposal to his scoutmaster, Bob Solorio, who agreed to present Dunlavy’s project for approval from the troop’s parent committee and a sanction from leadership at the Boy Scouts of America district level.

Many years ago, members of St. Anne Parish in Hazel Crest designed a walkway in the yard behind the church and erected the Stations of the Cross. Each station has a picture depicting Jesus’ walk to Calvary, the Crucifixion and burial.

Dunlavy saw that the outdoor display was important to the parish, but the paint had faded, the pole caps needed to be redone, the shingles on the roof covers had to be replaced, the flower boxes needed mulch and benches could stand some sprucing up.

Dunlavy planned out the work over two weeks. Once he got started, he got assistance from Dan Lippe, a professional painter, who had Dunlavy remove each picture for the necessary touch-up, and carpenter Mock Whull who helped him take measurements and rebuild the stands.

Solorio said he is proud of Dunlavy and all he’s accomplished through scouting from Cub Scouts through his last days with Troop 342.

Dunlavy has been to the Boys Scouts National Jamboree, held various leadership positions and earned the Order of the Arrow, a special honor in scouting.

The May graduate of Homewood-Flossmoor High School will be attending Western Michigan University in the fall.

 

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