Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng
Chow and Rep. Meng
By Michael V. Cusenza
Fresh Meadows resident Kayla Chow is a pioneer.
The Cardozo High School alum and current City College sophomore recently became the first female Eagle Scout in Queens, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Flushing) proudly announced this week.
Chow officially became an Eagle Scout on April 28, 2021. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the formal ceremony was postponed until a few weeks ago in late May. The ceremony, which took place in Flushing, was also attended by family, friends and fellow scouts.
Chow, 19, who was born, raised and still resides in Fresh Meadows, is a founding member of Scouts BSA’s Female Troop 253 based in Flushing, a unit launched in 2019 when the Boy Scouts of America permitted girls throughout the country to join its flagship Boy Scouts program, and as a result, renamed it to Scouts BSA.
In order to reach the rank of Eagle Scout, a scout must achieve the following:
- Be active in their troop for at least six months as a life scout
- Show dedication to scout oath and scout law
- Provide references from family, work, and other entities and community groups
- Earn 21 merit badges
- Serve a minimum of six months in a leadership position
- Propose, plan and carry out an Eagle Scout service project
- Attend a scoutmaster conference
- Pass a board of review
Meng praised Chow for her tremendous accomplishment during Chow’s recent Court of Honor ceremony which is the celebration of an individual who has earned the prestigious rank of Eagle Scout. Established in 1911, an Eagle Scout is the highest achievement attainable in Scouts BSA.
“I am incredibly proud to congratulate my constituent Kayla Chow, and I commend her for this historic accomplishment,” Meng said. “She is an exceptional individual who through hard work, community service and determination rose to reach this great milestone. I was honored to take part in her ceremony, and I know that she will serve as a wonderful role model and inspiration to other female scouts in our borough and across New York City. I wish her all the best for a bright and successful future.”
“Being the first female Eagle Scout in Queens is a huge honor,” Chow said. “I am extremely proud to have earned this accomplishment and I thank Congresswoman Meng for being part of it. I encourage younger scouts, or anyone who wants to join Scouts BSA, to go for the highest rank that they can possibly achieve, and of course, it would be great to strive to become an Eagle Scout. Always do your best, don’t get discouraged and have fun along the way.”
Chow has earned 26 merit badges which are awards scouts receive after finishing an area of study that increases their knowledge and abilities. These include areas such as first aid, communications, cooking, emergency preparedness or lifesaving, personal fitness, family life, personal management, camping, environmental science or sustainability, and swimming, hiking or cycling, among many other areas. She has also worked to encourage and recruit female scouts.
Chow now serves as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Female Troop 253.
