Lichota, a biochemistry sophomore who started cub scouts as a first-grader in 1996, will present the Boy Scouts of America, or BSA, Report to the Nation to Congress on Wednesday as a part of an eight-person delegation to Washington, D.C., Scoutmaster Bob Finta said.

In 2003, Lichota was inducted in the Order of the Arrow, one of the highest honors for a scout. The Order of the Arrow is a youth-elected and run honor society for the BSA.

“It’s kind of like a fraternity,” Lichota said. “We call each other brothers and have similar interests — and I’m not talking about just camping and knot tying.”

Finta said Lichota was in the same troop as his son.

It was Troop 156 where Lichota cemented lifelong friendships and gained valuable leadership experience, he said.

As the youth-elected president of the Order of the Arrow, Lichota said he travels almost weekly across the country for conferences, meetings and events in which BSA is represented.
“I’m like an ambassador,” Lichota said.

Lichota’s trip to Washington, D.C. particularly is important because this year is the 100th anniversary of BSA.

“It’s an extraordinary accomplishment that scouting has been able to sustain itself with youth leadership over 100 years,” Lichota said.

BSA representative Stephanie Kahan said the Report to the Nation will include a national status update on the state of scouting, including statistics about enrollment, service hours and amount of money raised throughout the year. Kahan said the delegation also will recognize national dignitaries such as President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and other national figures, providing summer camp scholarships in their names.

“Congress has always been a big supporter of scouting,” Kahan said. “This gives some of the kids a chance to visit the Pentagon, the CIA and the White House.”

Lichota said the group is scheduled to meet with the president in the Oval Office.
“It would make my year if I was able to meet with the president,” Lichota said.
Finta said he is proud of Lichota.

“He’s totally dedicated to everything he put his mind to,” Finta said of Lichota. “He’s a great example for young men to the things you can achieve if you work hard.”

Lichota credits his father, God and his brothers in the Order of the Arrow for his successes.

“Everyone opens doors for themselves,” Lichota said. “It’s a matter of walking through those doors. If you can be genuine with the people that you meet, and you’re true to yourself and you’re true to them, those doors will open for you.”