A Decade of Dedication: Saint Viator Senior’s Eagle Scout Project Uplifts Local Nonprofit

Officials at Northwest Compass in Mount Prospect say they are “ecstatic” with senior Jack Aliprandi's efforts and leadership.

“Our newly renovated lobby radiates beauty, elegance, and warmth! We are ecstatic,” said Northwest Compass Executive Director Sonia Ivanov. “Hats off to Jack Aliprandi for completing his Eagle Scout project. Jack’s leadership and commitment to excellence truly inspire us!”

In February, Jack led members of his Boy Scout troop 155 in Mount Prospect in building new wall unit displays to display a variety of products and clothing items available to Northwest Compass clients. 

The organization provides emergency services, education, and empowerment to those who are vulnerable or in crisis. Last year, it helped more than 6,600 families in the Northwest suburbs.

Jack was able to purchase materials for his project with money he earned from the annual Boy Scout popcorn sales, along with hardware contributions from Home Depot and Ace Hardware in Arlington Heights. He and some of the troop members prepped the space and installed the units over the weekend of March 7.

“Jack surpassed all expectations with his exceptional work,” Ivanov added. “We are grateful to be part of his outstanding achievement.”

Turns out that Jack has been helping Northwest Compass clients since he was in seventh grade, when he organized a food drive to benefit local residents experiencing food insecurity. As a member of the boys’ bowling team, Jack introduced the food drive to his teammates, which they eagerly participated in.

“I chose Northwest Compass because they are a smaller organization and very close to my community,” Jack says. “I felt that by helping them, I could have a larger impact on the community that is closest to me.”

By his estimate, Jack figures he has been working toward earning his rank of Eagle Scout for nearly 10 years. If he completes his board of review, he will be among only 6% of Scouts who fulfill all the requirements—and remain in Scouts long enough—to earn Scouting’s highest award.

“The main thing that drove me to push through at the end and finish the Eagle Rank was because I would definitely have felt very disappointed if I missed out on this opportunity,” Jack says. “I think the closer I got, the more motivated I was.”

“Taking things one day and one step at a time definitely helped,” he added, “because getting Eagle is a very long and daunting process. This whole thing represents close to 10 years of hard work, that is finally paying off.”