Paducah Teen Earns Rank of Eagle Scout

A Paducah teen has earned the highest advancement award the Boy Scouts of America offers, the Eagle Scout award.

Ryan W. Chua, of Paducah was recognized in ceremonies on Wednesday at Knights of Columbus Hall. According to a press release, Chua is a member of Knights of Columbus Troop 2007. According to Scoutmaster Matt LaBarge, Chua is one of a very small number of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle Scout rank. Each candidate must earn 21 merit badges and successfully complete any religious institution, school, or community related service project to earn his Eagle; Chua chose to landscape St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church parking lot and put a signboard for St. Frances Education Center.

Chua joins other notable figures who have become Eagle Scouts, including president Gerald R. Ford, Jr., astronaut Neil Armstrong, former mayor of New York, Michael Bloomberg, and the former head of the F.B.I., William Sessions.

Chua is a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church and is active in school Academic Team at Paducah Tilghman High School, where he is a Sophomore. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Winston Chua of Paducah.