April 10, 2015

Houston teen earns Eagle Scout rank

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Crew 251 Committee Member Luis Santiago presents Joseph Kuchta with the Eagle Scout badge and emblem, while his mother adjust his Eagle Scout neckerchief.

HOUSTON – Joseph G. Kuchta recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout – the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

Joseph’s journey in scouting began in the 1st grade as a Tiger Cub Scout in Pack 798 and continued through 5th grade when, he earned the Arrow of Light and crossed over from Cub Scouts into Boy Scouts. As a Cub Scout, Joseph earned the two religion emblems available to Catholic scouts.

As a scout in Troop 251 and Crew 251, Joseph earned 28 merit badges, which included the 12 merit badges required for the rank of Eagle, earned the Light is Life religious emblem for Eastern Catholics, hiked 50 miles, camped 57 nights, performed 68 hours of scouting service and completed his Eagle project – the planting of 12 trees along a nature walking trail.

Upon completing the requirements for the rank of Eagle, Joseph was required to have a scoutmaster conference and present himself for an Eagle Scout Board of Review. The Eagle Scout Board of Review is conducted by a representative of Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Sam Houston Area Council, and adult members of Crew 251. Results of the Eagle Board of Review were sent to the BSA national office for final review and approval. Once final approval was given by BSA, Crew 251 announced that an Eagle Scout Court of Honor was to be held for Joseph.

At the solemn ceremony that took place on Sunday, January 18, Joseph was asked if he would accept the responsibility of being an Eagle Scout for the remainder of his life. After professing his acceptance, Joseph was presented with his Eagle badge, neckerchief and emblem. During the Court of Honor, Joseph’s journey in scouting from Tiger to Eagle was reviewed, and recognition and congratulations received from local, state and national leaders including President Barack Obama were acknowledged.

Joseph, 17, is a junior and varsity baseball player at Westside High School, an altar server and student of religious studies at Protection of the Mother of God Ukrainian Catholic Church, a member of Houston’s Ukrainian Dancers, and a member of the Ukrainian National Association. He is the son of Eugene and Irene Majnich-Kuchta and the grandson of the late Ihor and Josephine Kuchta of Hillside, N.J., and Maria and the late Petro Majnich, formerly of Willimantic, Conn.

Crew 251 Committee Member Luis Santiago presents Joseph Kuchta with the Eagle Scout badge and emblem, while his mother adjust his Eagle Scout neckerchief.

Crew 251 Committee Member Luis Santiago presents Joseph Kuchta with the Eagle Scout badge and emblem, while his mother adjust his Eagle Scout neckerchief.

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