Mark Kochanski
Eagle Scout 

Mark William Kochanski was awarded the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, during a Court of Honor on June 1, 1008 at the Bond Park Senior Center in Cary, NC.   Mark is a member of Troop 216 in Cary and is the son of Jim and Emily Kochanski of Cary.  He officially earned the rank of Eagle Scout on April 9, 2008 at the age of 15.  

Mark is Troop 216’s 60th Eagle Scout since its founding in 1978.  Troop 216 is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at Saint Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.

Over 90 people attended the Court of Honor, including fellow scouts, friends, classmates and Mark’s maternal grandmother Wilma Harms of Clarinda, Iowa and paternal grandmother Lois Kochanski of Bethesda, Maryland.  Also present were Eileen and Dave Petersen of Murrells Inlet, SC, Mary Ann Daly and Suzanne Mercury, both of Bethesda Maryland, Ezra Daly of Berkeley, California and Mary Bess Whidden and Angela Boone, both of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Gary Meyer, Troop 216 Eagle Scout, was the Master of Ceremonies. 

Fellow scouts Daniel Kearby, Brian De Contreras, Kevin Mulder and Alex Brawn opened the ceremony by presenting the colors after which Chris Becker delivered the invocation.  Ed and Rhonda Chesson, Mark’s former Cub Scout leaders, explained the advancement to the trail of Eagle.
Committee Chair Chris Meyer, Scoutmaster Bob De Contreras, and Charter Organization Representative, Todd Ellis, also took part in the ceremony.  Among the presentations, Mark received his Eagle badge, an engraved pen, and a certificate from the Charles Fossett of the Cary Apex Elks Lodge Number 2798.  Troop 216 Eagle Scout Michael Becker concluded the Court of Honor with the benediction.

Mark began his scouting career in 1998 as a Tiger Cub with Pack 213 at Kirk of Kildaire in Cary, where he subsequently earned all of the Cub Scout ranks as well as 17 belt loops and 11 pins.  In January 2003, Mark received Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light, and immediately bridged to Troop 216.

The BSA program heavily emphasizes leadership skills, and throughout his career with Troop 216, Mark has held numerous leadership positions, including Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Assistant Quartermaster, Librarian, and Troop Guide.  Mark was inducted into the Order of the Arrow, a scouting honor organization, and also earned the World Conservation Award. Mark has completed 22 merit badges and continues to earn more.   In order to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, at least 21 merit badges must be earned, 12 of which are specifically required for the rank.

In July 2005, Mark attended the National Scout Jamboree at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.  Two years later, in July 2007, Mark attended the 2007 World Scout Jamboree in Chelmsford, England.  On reflection of the Jamborees, Mark says, “Scouting has given me the opportunity for many new experiences and the highlight of my scouting career was getting to know Scouts from around the world at the 2007 World Scout Jamboree.” 

As required by the Boy Scouts of America, a candidate for Eagle Scout must plan, develop, and lead others while providing a service to the community.  With guidance from his Eagle project advisor, Chris Meyer, Mark was the first Eagle Scout candidate to begin work on a collaborative effort to create what is now the Stations of the Cross Garden at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church.  Mark led almost thirty scouts and adults in making a loop pathway in a wooded area between St. Michael’s Church and St. Michael’s Pastoral Center as well as providing passage between the two buildings.  Trees, brush and undergrowth were cleared from the 270 foot pathway which was then smoothed and packed so that future Eagle Scout candidates could lead projects to finish additional phases of the garden.  To date, rock dust has been spread on the pathway, 16 posts installed for the Stations of the Cross plaques, benches and stairs from the parking lot to the pathway have been installed.  Future Eagle Scout projects include adding landscaping and enhancing drainage.  The Stations of the Cross Garden was completed in time for Easter 2008 services and has been welcomed by parishioners of St. Michael’s Church as a garden for reflection and prayer.    
 
Mark is an eleventh grade student at Apex High School in Apex, North Carolina.