As an all-conference athlete in cross country and track, Kaneland senior Logan Cunz knows about the importance of pacing.

While his pursuit of his Eagle Scout project has been more of a sprint, the soon-to-be 18-year-old was able to finish it in time. Cunz recently completed the building of a staircase and observation platform for the Aurora Air Classics Museum, which is located at the Aurora Municipal Airport in Sugar Grove.

With the help of some of his peers and leaders of Sugar Grove Boy Scout Troop 41, Cunz worked on the platform in the old bus barn behind the Sugar Grove Township Community Building. It was transported to the museum Feb. 13.

“The hardest aspect was time,” Cunz said. “When I went in for my proposal meeting with Mr. [Mike] Hauge, who coordinates this kind of stuff, he asked what my birthday was and when I said ‘one month from today,’ he laughed and said most people who show up before the proposal board don’t end up finishing the project. So time was definitely a major concern, but we managed to get it done pretty well.”

His initial project plans fell through in July 2021, which was around the same time that Troop 41 met at the museum for an activity. As luck would have it, Cunz learned from museum curator Hank Winkler that he would welcome some Eagle Scout projects.

“The boys had to turn in their camping gear and we have a big campground area so we let them come use it,” Winkler said. “I told them we have a list of Eagle projects and they got to talking and discussed the observation stands on some of these aircrafts.”

Cunz had knowledge about military aircrafts but not building an observation stand.

“I basically have no woodworking experience other than from my limited classes at school,” he said. “I learned a lot from Mr. [Erik] Rasmussen and Mr. Hauge, who are not experts, but pretty much close to experts in having them guide me and my troop. My friends have been great in coming out and giving hours like Daniel [Willis] has.”

Willis is one of eight Troop 41 Scouts who currently are working on or recently completed their Eagle Scout projects. Rasmussen, an Eagle Scout himself, was in Scouts with Cunz’s father, Mike. While Mike Cunz didn’t reach Eagle Scout, he helped Rasmussen with his project years ago. Rasmussen now has returned the favor. Rasmussen attended youth protection training and joined the troop to coach Logan Cunz with the project.

Logan Cunz’s experience as a senior patrol leader for the troop proved to be a huge asset throughout the stages of the project.

“I was a senior patrol leader for a long time so I knew that planning was always important, but I never guessed I realized how important it was until I started working on this project,” he said. “I probably spent the vast majority of my hours on it before we even started screwing or cutting anything so it’s been a major lesson for sure.”

That Cunz was able to complete his project relatively seamlessly in a short time was no surprise to Kaneland boys cross country coach Chad Clarey. Cunz helped the Knights to a conference title and a Class 2A fourth-place finish at state last fall.

“He has worked hard at ensuring we stay on course with our weekly itineraries,” Clarey said. “He is meticulous in this regard. I am proud of the effort he has put forth to not let this opportunity to attain Eagle slip past him before his years in Scouting end. When less than 5% of all Scouts in the (Boy Scouts of America) earn this award, it is a significant achievement that he will savor for the rest of his life.”

While it’s a huge achievement for Cunz, it’s another of many unforgettable experiences he’s had over the years as a Scout.

“I’ve really enjoyed working on this project,” he said. “It kind of captures everything I’ve done here, which is kind of amazing. Whether in the building or out in the forest camping, a lot of my best memories are from Scouts and cross country, and sometimes at school, too.”

With graduation looming, Cunz knows new challenges lie ahead in college. His list of potential colleges can be counted on one hand if he uses all five digits. He plans on staying relatively close to home, would like to continue running competitively and would like to study something in the business field.

He’s certainly got some big decisions to make and he’ll make them his way at his own pace.