Three Scouts from Scouts BSA Troop 542 Earn Eagle Rank

Thomas J. Kohler, Jordan S. Kressman, and James F. Murphy of Scouts BSA Troop 542 in Maple Glen, PA, received the Eagle Scout Award, the highest rank attainable in Scouts BSA, at a recent Court of Honor held at Supplee Presbyterian Church. Each Scout also received a citation from Pennsylvania Rep. Todd Stephens.

Thomas Kohler began his Scouting career with Cub Scout Pack 114. Shortly thereafter, he and his fellow Pack 114 Cubs transitioned to Pack 405. As an Arrow of Light, Kohler crossed over to Troop 542 in 2017. His first leadership position was den chief with his former Cub Scout Pack, a position he held for four years. In addition, he served as troop webmaster as well as troop guide for first-year patrols. He earned 25 merit badges.

For his Eagle project, Kohler led a team of 36 volunteers in the construction of two raised sandboxes to replace the current boxes at the Supplee Church Nursery School playground. Each sandbox was build using pressure-treated lumber and exterior-grade fasteners. One box was 12-feet long and the other box was 10-feet long. Each sandbox had new hinged, locking lids with polypropylene plastic for weather resistance.

Kohler currently is in his junior year at Holy Ghost Preparatory School, where he participates in the forensics and rowing teams. In the future, he plans to pursue a college degree in mechanical engineering.

Jordan S. Kressman joined Troop 542 in 2015 after crossing over from Cub Scout Pack 405. In his time with Troop 542, Kressman earned 25 merit badges and held the leadership positions of assistant scribe, quartermaster, scribe, and instructor. His most memorable position was scribe, which required him to schedule scoutmaster conferences and review boards for his fellow Scouts as well as record and award countless merit badges.

Kressman’s Eagle project contributed to Upper Dublin Township’s recovery following a September 1, 2021, tornado that felled countless trees. He planted 90 trees of varying native species in the wooded areas surrounding Upper Dublin High School that will help restore the local ecosystem.

Kressman graduated from Upper Dublin High School in June 2022 and currently studies biology at Temple University.

James F. Murphy began his Scouting career as a Cub Scout in Pack 408 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Fort Washington and crossed over to Troop 542 in the spring of 2017. In his time with the troop, Murphy held the positions of instructor, patrol leader, and troop guide for new scouts. In July 2022, Murphy was part of a Troop 542 crew that backpacked for 10 days at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, New Mexico. The high adventure trip included a climb to the summit of Baldy Mountain, which has an elevation of 12,441 feet.

For his Eagle project, Murphy led a team of volunteers in the construction of six wooden benches for Pleasantville United Church of Christ in Chalfont, PA. After adults cut and routed the bench pieces, Scouts marked and sanded each piece, then assembled and coated the benches in outdoor wood finish. Each bench was set on stove pavers in the ground.

Murphy earned 36 merit badges, which is 15 more than the 21 required for the Eagle rank. At the Court of Honor, he was presented with three palms—bronze, gold, and silver--in recognition of this achievement.

Currently, Murphy is a junior at Upper Dublin High School, where he has participated in the track team, the Quiz Bowl trivia club, and Ultimate Frisbee club. He plans to pursue a college education in civil and industrial engineering following his graduation in 2024.

Scouts BSA Troop 542 is based at Supplee Presbyterian Church in Maple Glen, PA. Since its start in 1969, more than 180 Scouts from Troop 542 have earned the rank of Eagle.