Shrewsbury – On May 9, Thomas Bodden of Boy Scout Troop 158 in Shrewsbury, was formally awarded the rank of Eagle Scout at a Court of Honor held at Shrewsbury High School. Joining Thomas to commemorate this special achievement were family, friends, and local dignitaries.
In the fall of 2003, Bodden entered Scouting with Cub Scout Pack 62, sponsored by the Ray Stone Post. He joined Boy Scout Troop 158, which meets at St. Mary Parish, in February of 2008. During that time, he held the positions of assistant patrol leader, patrol leader, troop guide, assistant senior patrol leader, and senior patrol leader. He earned 27 merit badges and was elected by members of his troop to Scouting’s Honor Society, the Order of the Arrow, in 2013. This past summer, he hiked over 60 miles with members of his troop and Crew 2238 at Philmont Scout Ranch in Cimarron, N.M.
For his Eagle Project, Bodden planned and organized the revitalization and refurbishment of the Kyle P. Johnson Academe at the Walter J. Paton Elementary School in Shrewsbury. Built over 10 years ago, the academe and lighthouse needed attention. It took Bodden , his family, friends, and fellow Scouts over 130 hours to weed, prune, spread mulch and pea stone, and repair the lighthouse.
Bodden graduated from Shrewsbury High School May 28 and plans to study business at Westfield State University in the fall.
