Eagle Scout Court of Honor Held for Phillipsburg’s Joshua Rojas

PHILLIPSBURG, NJ - Joshua Rojas received the rank of Eagle Scout, a culmination of years of dedication, hard work, leadership and community service May 25, 2024. A rank only 2% of all scouts achieve.

Mercy Hall at St. Philip and St. James Church in Phillipsburg was filled with friends, family, fellow scouts, and community leaders and members, all gathered to celebrate this significant milestone in his life.

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Joshua's scoutmaster, Mr. Doug Wooton, spoke of Joshua's journey, highlighting his numerous achievements and the leadership he had shown in every endeavor, along with what he called ups and downs since he was six years old and joined scouts.

Rojas project to achieve the rank was a revamped blessing box for the community, with pride of place at the church at St. Philip and St. James. A parishioner and volunteer, Rojas also works in the church’s soup kitchen, where his project took shape.

Originally planning to paint the Statue of Mary, which was a large undertaking, while working in the soup kitchen, he noticed the condition of the blessing box, which has food and toiletries stocked for people to take from the church, was in disrepair, and vandalized. So replacing the box that serves the community, seemed to be the perfect project. Along with his parents, Javier and Ruth, Rojas grandmother was one of many credited for helping him achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. Crafted in addition to his project, was a version of the box, proudly on display with  photographs of his journey, his journal, application and a binder filled with every detail of his journey for the guests to see the work, time and budgeting that went into the project.

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“The eagle scout is the highest rank of scouts. Your responsibility extends to your country and your God. America has many good things to give you and your children after you, but these good things depend on the ability of our citizens. Our country has a great past, you can make it greater,” said Wooten.

Walking to the stage, Joshua was surrounded by family, pride, and gratitude, to Wooten, his own family, and the many scouts who helped him along his journey. He stood before those gathered, his scout uniform adorned with badges that told the story of his journey.

"Joshua,it is with great honor that I present you with the rank of Eagle Scout” Wooten said.

Joshua's parents joined him at the front, their faces beaming with pride. His mother, emotional, pinned the Eagle Scout medal to his uniform. His father shook his hand firmly, and tied his handkerchief on his son. There were two Eagle scouts in attendance, but Wooten said, “More to come”.

Joshua, while on stage, presented his mother, father and grandmother with a mini eagle lapel pin as well.

After the applause, Rojas was congratulated by Nichoals Henry, from Congressman  Tom Kean Jr.’s office, as well as Phillipsburg Mayor Randy Piazza commended Rojas on this “extraordinary achievement”, noting that with “determination and perseverance anything is possible. Piazza also told Rojas his achievement is not just a badge on his uniform, but a testament to your character, leadership and service”.

"I want to thank my parents who saw me through this, they have always wished me to aim higher in school, scouts and my chores”, said Rojas. Noting his grandma loves to paint, she helped the project come together, and look and feel Phillipsburg.

As the ceremony concluded, people began to mingle, congratulating Joshua, his family and admiring his achievements on his journey to achieve this rank, and celebrate, we hope, with a wonderfully decorated cake for the occasion, and a proclamation and flag from Congressman Kean’s office. As some were departing, the blessing box was already in use by the public, as a gentleman, who did not want to share his name, noted he was picking up food for his neighbor. A testament to the need for the box in the area.

“This rank is designed to prepare you for the real world” said Rojas”.  In conclusion, he stated,  “You can't learn if you don’t try”, a sign of great things for his future.

Phillipsburg gained an Eagle Scout, but more importantly, a young man is ready to lead, serve, and inspire others in his community, country, in fellowship, faith and among his friends.

Enjoy the photo gallery and video coverage of the event. A full gallery can be viewed at Fotos by Fucilli here.

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