In September 1999, while in the first grade, Joshua Marcus Alcalde, left, started his Scouting experience with Pack 310 at Lincoln Elementary School.

Although new to the neighborhood and having few friends at the time, Alcalde expressed interest in joining Cub Scouts. This is where he met friends Varun Bhadah and Nicholas Neubrand, whom have also earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

Under the leadership of Den Leader and Cub Master Michael Strawn, Alcalde earned his Tiger, Bobcat, Wolf, Bear and Webelos badges, as well as Cub Scouting’s highest award, the Arrow of Light.

With much excitement and commitment, Alcalde later bridged to Boy Scout Troop 288 in March 2004. During his seven years in Boy Scouts, his Scoutmasters have been Mike Webster, Bob Fletcher and Todd Neubrand.  Under their leadership, along with many other dedicated leaders within the Troop, Alcalde was able to successfully complete all requirements to achieve Eagle Scout, Scouting’s highest rank. Through the 12 years of scouting, he developed many valuable life skills such as building character, values and citizenship.

Alcalde earned 37 merit badges including those required for Eagle:

Camping, Citizenship in the Community, Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Life Saving, Environmental Science, First Aid, Swimming, Personal Fitness, Communications, Personal Management and Family Life.

Others were Orienteering, Rowing, Shotgun Shooting, Water Sports, Rifle Shooting, Nature, Wilderness Survival, Space Exploration, Astronomy, Fishing, Pottery, Forestry, Soil and Water Conservation, Music, Indian Lore, Photography, Canoeing, Art, Geology, Leatherwork, Archery and Woodcarving.

Alcalde received the Boy Scouts of America World Conservation Award, which is earned when a Scout completes the Environmental Science, Soil and Water Conservation or Fish and Wildlife Management, and Citizenship in the World merit badges.

He has held several leadership positions including den chief, patrol leader, assistant senior patrol leader, ASB vice president in the seventh grade and ASB president in the eighth grade at Rosemont Middle School, and ASB student representative in his senior year at Crescenta Valley High School.

For his Eagle project, Alcalde collected new and gently used sports equipment from participating Scouts, associations, schools, retail stores and local residents. The sports equipment received were sorted, boxed and later delivered to the offices of Sports Gifts, Inc., that has an ongoing program to distribute sports equipment to underprivileged communities. Through Alcalde’s efforts, they were able to reach children around the world including areas within the United States, Mexico, Central and South America, Africa, Indonesia, the South Pacific and the Middle East. He is very proud that he was able to support many impoverished children who are now able to enjoy sports.

Alcalde graduated from Crescenta Valley High School in June. He is currently enrolled as a freshman at Glendale Community College majoring in cinematography. He plans on transferring to USC Film School in the fall 2013. He is currently working as a barista at The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf in Montrose.