Watch the St. Charles City Council Recognize 3 Residents

The St. Charles City Council on Monday singled out two young men who recently attained the rank of Eagle Scout and a St. Charles North educator who recently was honored for his efforts in the field of music.

Mayor Donald DeWitte made the presentations, which involved the reading of proclamations honoring each of the three for their achievement, including:

Matthew Smith, Boy Scout Troop 1, for achieving rank of Eagle Scout. Smith’s Scouting career highlights include:

Joining Cubs Scout Pack 108 at Davis Elementary School in 2002, progressing through the ranks of Bear and Webelos before earning the Arrow of Light in 2006.

Became a member of Boy Scout Troop 1 in February 2006, progressing through the ranks and serving in several leadership roles.

Earned the rank of Eagle Scout in 2012 after completion of a project to landscape an area in front of his church, raising money for the venture by selling engraved bricks that then were used to create a path through the center of the landscaped area.

Earned 31 merit badges, including 12 required for Eagle Scout.

Joshua Samuels, Boy Scout Troop 13, for achieving rank of Eagle Scout. Samuels’ Scouting career highlights include:

Joining Cub Scout Pack 154 at Munhall School, earning the God and Me religious award and the Arrow of Light Award in 2006.

Became a member of Boy Scout Troop 13 in February 2006, progressing through the ranks and serving in various leadership roles.

Earned the rank of Eagle Scout in January after completion of a project at the Holmer House at Bethlehem Lutheran Church on Route 25. The project involved placing a retaining wall to combat erosion, maintaining the nature walk and other greens, and removal of a large amount of the invasive plant species buckthorn.

Earned 27 merit badges.

Also singled out for honors was St. Charles North High School Music Director Jim Stombres, who was named the recipient of the 2013 Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestra Educator of the Year Award.

Well-known among the state’s music educators, DeWitte said Stombres, who taught DeWitte’s children, has a reputation of artistic excellence, a love for kids, strong values and integrity. His career spans more than three decades, but followed an initial career path in church music. He has taught at a number of schools in the Chicago area, coming to St. Charles North as band director in 2000.

Also a noted jazz music educator, DeWitte said Stombres served as the All-State Jazz Audition chairman for the oast 20 years, and conducted the 1999 All-State Jazz Bands. For the past 23 years, he also has directed jazz bands and combos at Birch Creek Music Academy in Door County, Wis.

His work with his colleagues at St. Charles North has been well-recognized over the years as well, DeWitte said.

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