Scouts Honor: Troop 542 Welcomes Three New Eagle Scouts

Words courtesy Troop 542

On Sunday, January 15th, Boy Scout Troop 542, sponsored by Supplee Presbyterian Church in Maple Glen, recognized three Boy Scouts for achieving the highest rank attainable in Scouting. The boys, Michael DiMuzio, Charles McLemore and Zach Schwarz were awarded medals representing the rank of Eagle Scout, and their parents were recognized for their loving support and mentoring.

Leading the ceremony were Troop 542 Scoutmaster Jay Eibner and Troop Committee Chairman Al Moffatt. Among the honored guests who spoke at the event were Pennsylvania State Representative Todd Stephens, Rev. David Canan of Trinity Episcopal Church in Ambler and Rabbi Josh Waxman of Or Hadash Synagogue in Fort Washington. Speaking on behalf of the young men were Eagle Scout Clayton McLemore, on behalf of his brother of Charles, Assistant Scoutmaster Kevin McLemore, on behalf of Zach, and Upper Dublin Commissioner Stan Ropski on behalf of Michael, as well as Pat Hart, the Boy Scouts of America District Chairman.

Other notables present for the evening ceremony were Upper Dublin School District Superintendent Dr. Michael Pladus, Upper Dublin Township Manager Paul Leonard, Jarrettown Elementary School Principal Meg Place and Upper Dublin School District teachers Sue Parsons and Ted Dennis.

To earn the rank of Eagle the young men were required to accomplish several difficult tasks. They had to earn at least 21 merit badges, which represent life skills attained such as first aid, life saving and citizenship, as well as other skills such as composite materials science, engineering and entrepreneurship. In addition they were required to successfully serve in a leadership position within the troop, show Scout spirit in their daily lives, and to design and lead a significant service project for their community.

Michael DiMuzio, a junior at Upper Dublin High School, earned a total of 33 merit badges and served as Patrol Quartermaster, Assistant Instructor, Lead Instructor, Librarian and Patrol Leader in the troop. For his service project, Michael led a team of 22 volunteers in a 177-hour effort to benefit Maple Glen Elementary School, creating two 10x10 foot patios outside of the school. These patios are now used by both students and teachers for outdoor work and meals.

Michael also worked closely with leaders of St. Alphonsus Church to earn the “Ad Altare Dei” Boy Scout religious award.  At UDHS, Michael participates in many activities and clubs, and manages the varsity wrestling team.  Thus far, Michael has received straight A’s during high school and plans to attend college to study pre-medicine or law.

Charles McLemore, a junior at Upper Dublin High School, earned a total of 26 merit badges and served as Den Chief, Patrol Leader and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.  As Den Chief, Charles was awarded Cub Pack 405’s “Leadership Excellence Award” for his support in educating and leading their cub scouts. The Wapiti Archers of PA, a part of Fort Washington State Park, was the beneficiary of Charles’ Eagle service project, where he led a team of 23 volunteers in a 220-hour project which consisted of clearing land, building a new throwing weapons range and creating and installing 50 new signs to guide visitors around the facility’s many trails.

Charles has consistently been on Upper Dublin High School’s honor roll and was awarded “Best of Best of Show” by the Philadelphia Classical Society and “Best of Show” at the Pennsylvania State Latin Convention for his Latin projects. Charles is a member of Upper Dublin High School’s swim team and has served as acolyte and crucifer at Trinity Episcopal Church in Ambler.

Zach Schwarz, a junior at Upper Dublin High School, earned a total of 26 merit badges and served as Patrol Ecologist, Troop Ecologist and Assistant Senior Patrol Leader in the troop. Zach led 35 workers, including members of the Wissahickon Restoration Volunteers, in a 198-hour service project that benefited the Valley Green section of Fairmount Park with removal of invasive plants and the planting of native trees and shrubs.

Zach is a 2nd degree Black Belt in Karate and was named by Ambler Gazette as “Person of the Week” for his significant fundraising work for Israel ALS.  Working with Rabbi Josh Waxman, Zach earned the “Ner Tamid” Boy Scout religious award, and he has also passed the Pennsylvania State certification as an Emergency Medical Technician, serving on the Second Alarmers Rescue Squad.

Boy Scout Troop 542 has served and enriched the Maple Glen community for over 51 years, and over that time the troop has mentored and recognized a total of 113 Eagle Scouts, and has provided over 20,000 hours of service to the community.