Four Scouts from Maplewood's Troop 5 Achieve Eagle Scout Rank

Four dedicated members of Maplewood's Troop 5 have earned the prestigious Eagle Scout Award, the highest rank in Scouting America. This honor reflects their outstanding character, leadership, and commitment to community service. Notably, only about 5% of scouts nationwide achieve this distinction.

 

The honorees—Samuel Mitchell Daley, John Graham "Jack" Ebert, Jesse Fryatt, and Alexander Lopos—were celebrated during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony on Saturday, November 29, at Morrow Memorial United Methodist Church. The event was attended by family, friends, and community leaders.

 

To attain the Eagle Scout rank, each scout progressed through multiple levels, earned a minimum of 21 merit badges in areas such as outdoor skills and citizenship, and led a significant community service project. These projects often hold personal significance and require the scouts to fundraise and coordinate volunteers.

 

Samuel Daley, a senior at Union Catholic, collaborated with the Maplewood Community Pool to create a welcoming teen area for the 2025 summer season. His project included installing new picnic tables, renovating a volleyball court, and adding a permanent cornhole court. These enhancements were well-received and extensively used by local teens.

 

Jack Ebert, a senior at Oratory Prep, honored his late sister Annabeth by collecting and redistributing therapeutic equipment to families affected by mitochondrial diseases. Partnering with the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation and the Pluckemin Medical Equipment Ministry, Jack and his team gathered and refurbished equipment valued at $40,000, providing it free of charge to families in need. His heartfelt project earned him the UMDF's annual Heartstrings Award.

 

Jesse Fryatt, a senior at Columbia High School, worked with the Springfield Avenue Partnership to refurbish three information kiosks along Springfield Avenue. The project involved repairing and repainting the kiosks, replacing roofing, and updating bulletin boards. These revitalized structures now effectively serve the community by promoting local events and services.

 

Alexander Lopos, formerly of South Orange and now a junior at Lawrence University, enhanced the Columbia High School orchestra room by installing durable instrument storage shelving. He also organized and repaired district-owned violins and funded the professional restoration of three cellos, enriching the school's music program for future students.

 

Each scout received the Eagle Award medal, a keepsake box from the Maplewood Rotary Club, and letters of congratulations from Governor Phil Murphy, Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill, and Senator Cory Booker. Proclamations from Maplewood Mayor Nancy Adams and South Orange Mayor Sheena Collum further recognized their contributions to the community.

 

Governor Murphy commended the scouts, stating, "By achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, you have demonstrated exemplary discipline, talent, and ingenuity. The lessons you have learned from scouting will serve you well throughout your life."

 

During the ceremony, each scout expressed gratitude to their families, friends, and troop leaders, sharing personal reflections on their scouting journeys. They highlighted the skills acquired, friendships formed, and the profound impact scouting has had on their personal growth and readiness for future challenges.

 

Troop 5 Maplewood, established in 1920 and sponsored by the Maplewood Rotary Club, continues to foster the core values of trustworthiness, loyalty, kindness, and responsibility. The troop offers boys aged 11–17 opportunities for leadership development, community service, and outdoor adventure, including annual trips to Massawepie Scout Camp in the Adirondacks and high-adventure excursions to destinations like the U.S. Virgin Islands and Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico.

 

Meetings are held on Thursdays from 7–9 p.m. during the school year at Seth Boyden Elementary School. For more information, interested individuals can contact the troop via email or follow their activities on social media platforms.