Scott Murphy Earns Eagle Award

Newporter and Rogers High School junior Scott Nelson Murphy has obtained the highest award in scouting and can now call himself an Eagle Scout.

Boy Scouts of America Troop 3 Newport recently celebrated Murphy’s achievements at a Court of Honor and scout candle ceremony held at the Elks Lodge.

The award follows his Eagle Scout project at Fort Adams State Park where he cleared and improved landscaping atop the southwest bastion.

“Through this project, Scott left his legacy on a place important to him and the heritage of Newport and coastal New England,” a Troop 3 press release stated.

Friends, family and dignitaries attended the ceremony, including US Congressman David N. Cicilline, Rhode Island Representative Marvin Abney, Newport Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano, Narragansett Council Service Executive Eric Burtchell, and Fort Adams Trust Properties Director Jack McCormick.

Pastor Barr Flynn of Newport Community Church delivered the invocation and the benediction at the ceremony.

Several proclamations and citations were presented to Scott including Mayor Jeanne-Marie Napolitano proclaiming January 11, 2015 “Scott Nelson Murphy Day” in Newport.

Cynthia Cykert, Murphy’s chemistry and biology teacher at Rogers High School, spoke of Scott’s character during the ceremony, describing him as a person who can be counted on to have a positive attitude, shares and includes others in a kind and caring way, and possesses a sense of humor to top it off.

Scott is the son of Navy Captain Mark and Margaret Murphy and older brother to AnnaKate Murphy. Scott’s grandparents, retired Navy Captain Jerry and Jane Nelson traveled from Bowie, Maryland to participate in the ceremony. Prior to the candle ceremony, Scott’s father, Captain Murphy, presented an Eagle Scout ring given to his grandfather, Captain Nelson, on the occasion of his Eagle Scout ceremony in September 1952.

Scott chose his Eagle Leadership Project to be at Fort Adams Trust to protect and promote the historic places and public spaces at the gateway to Narragansett Bay and Newport. This included directing and supporting the stabilization, maintenance and operation of Fort Adams as a historic site.

Scott began his trail to Eagle Scout with Pack 304 in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. His advancement from Tiger Cub to Webelos II took place from Pack 304 through Pack 220 in Ocean Springs, Mississippi where he earned his Webelos badge and the Arrow of Light Award. In February 2009, Scott bridged over to Boy Scout Troop 271 in Ocean Springs and advanced through Tenderfoot and Second Class before moving to Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania and joining Troop 208. From 2010-2013, he achieved First Class, Star and Life as well as becoming a member of the Order of the Arrow with Unami Lodge One, prior to moving to Newport, Rhode Island and becoming a member of Troop 3.

Murphy plays baseball and is working toward completing multiple Advanced Placement courses. He and his family will move to Northern Virginia for their next Navy assignment where Scott will complete his senior year.

At Rogers, he has played JV football, earned a varsity letter in baseball as a sophomore, and was a member of the Rogers High School Concert Band and Jazz Ensemble. Prior to attending Rogers, he attended Lower Moreland High School in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania where he played JV baseball and was a member of the award winning Lower Moreland Music Program. He was also a member of the German Club and the World Affairs Council, including participation in the 2013 International Student Summit for Cyber-security at Temple University.

Troop 3 is sponsored by Newport Elks Lodge #104 and is a member of BSA Narragansett Council. Boys in Troop 3 Newport range in age from 11-17 years old. They attend Cluny School, St. Philomena School, Thompson Middle School, Rogers & Middletown High Schools and some are home schooled.

Boy Scouts of America has three objectives: character development, citizenship training and personal fitness. For more information about BSA Troop 3 Newport, please call Glenn Gardiner at 401 846-9583 x 2002.

Caption to attached photo: Scott N. Murphy at his recent Eagle Award Ceremony given by BSA Troop 3 Newport at the Elks Lodge #104.