Meet the Candidates: James McKeown for State Senior Councilor

Convention is soon approaching, and we have more candidates to get to know. We have two candidates for the office of State Senior Councilor. The second is Bro. James McKeown of Friendship-Bray Chapter.

If somehow you don’t know who I am, then let me enlighten you; I’m James McKeown and I am running for the office of State Senior Councilor.

I’ve been a member of Friendship-Bray Chapter for three years now, and wow has it been one wild ride. The whole DeMolay experience itself has helped me through the hardships of growing up. While I can heartily say that I’d be almost the exact same man that I am today without DeMolay, it’s that little sliver that wouldn’t be, that I can 100% contribute to DeMolay. It has helped create in me a sense of fulfillment and belonging that I couldn’t find elsewhere. Now I can sit down and recognize that I have a place in this world. That what I do, matters. I’m not the only person who can say this about DeMolay, but I know that I’m extremely grateful for this gift. Because I realize all of what DeMolay has given me, I look forward to making sure that every single DeMolay finds their own sliver.

What is your greatest DeMolay experience or accomplishment? 

My greatest experience in DeMolay has to be going to Arnold’s Family Fun Center with my Chapter. It wasn’t my greatest experience because of the way it was planned or the center itself, but rather because I not only got to spend some quality time with some brothers in my chapter, but it helped me realize something; that DeMolay is supposed to be fun. I don’t mean that we should just make DeMolay fun, but I feel like we need to put more emphasis on the fun aspects of DeMolay. At the end of the day we should enjoy the short time that we have as members.

Who are some of your DeMolay influences and how have they inspired you? My greatest influence in DeMolay, is “Dad” Mike McKee. He has taught me so many life lessons that I could fill an entire book. However, the most important thing he has taught me, by his example, is to be yourself. I probably don’t need to tell you that we live in a time where being fake or disloyal is the norm. “Dad” McKee has helped me come to the realization that being true to yourself is the only correct way to go and live your life.

What are your goals if elected to serve as a State Officer?

If elected, I would like to focus on three main goals. The first and most important goal of them all is pushing the programs and events that the State Master Councilor has put in the term for this upcoming year. The second goal is to make the DeMolay experience more fun without taking from the general purposes of DeMolay. The third goal is to set up an environment that everyone can be comfortable learning in.

The registration deadline for Convention is June 10th. Make sure you are there for your chance to vote for your Elected State Officers. See you in Gettysburg!

Meet the Candidates: Dylan Kirk for Deputy State Master Councilor

It's almost time for the annual PA DeMolay Convention, so why not get to know our candidates for State Office. We have two candidates for the office of Deputy State Master Councilor. Here is our first, Bro. Dylan Kirk of Westmoreland Chapter. 

Hello! My name is Dylan Kirk and I have been a member of Westmoreland Chapter for nearly five years. I've spent the last two years as an Elected State Officer, currently serving as State Senior Councilor. I am 17 years old and finishing my junior year of high school. I am running for the office of Deputy State Master Councilor to further my DeMolay experience and to give back as much as I can. After serving one term as Master Councilor in my home chapter, I believed it was time for me to further my experience and join the state line. In larger chapters, once you become Master Councilor, that’s the extent you can go since you have new members wanting to move into the chairs. So, although I am still active in my chapter, I try to act as a leader to the newer DeMolay members and let them run the chapter. After all, they are the future.

What is your greatest DeMolay experience or accomplishment?

My greatest DeMolay experience or accomplishment would have to be becoming an ESO. It has taught me so many things like planning events, creating and meeting deadlines, time management, and one which I have improved a lot in, being able to speak off the cuff. Along with being an ESO you get to meet so many people, especially the DeMolay members. It’s great to talk to them at events and get to know them, knowing that I could be someone they look up to, that inspires me to be a good leader.

Who are some of your DeMolay influences and how have they inspired you?

I have had so many influences in DeMolay. Several Advisors, DeMolays, past State Officers. They have all influenced me and taught me many things. I don’t think I would be the person I am today without them.

What are your goals if elected to serve as a State Officer?

My goals if elected to serve as DSMC are to help unify the state and spend time with the West, helping them grow stronger. I want to contribute to individual growth, this is something that has been somewhat lost in DeMolay. Many members are just in DeMolay to have fun, which is great, but that’s not the only purpose of DeMolay. So I hope to encourage teaching the virtues of DeMolays and bettering members.

Meet the Candidates: Dylan Kirk for State Senior Councilor

Convention is just around the corner, so lets take a few minutes to meet the candidates for Elected State Office. Members will get the chance to elect their officers during the Business Session the Saturday morning of Convention. They were all asked to provide a biography and an answer to the three questions below.

My name is Dylan Kirk and I am running for the office of State Senior Councilor. I am a Past Master Councilor of Westmoreland Chapter. This fall I will be entering my junior year of high school. Throughout my four years in DeMolay, I have earned several awards including my lamp of Knowledge and my Representative DeMolay Award. Some of my interests are baseball, hockey, and movies, my favorites are: the Cars trilogy, Saving Private Ryan, The Sandlot.

What are your goals if elected to serve as an Elected State Officer?
If elected to State Senior Councilor, I hope that I will be able to bring new ideas to help improve PA DeMolay. I also hope to help the individual chapters, a goal of mine is to visit each chapter at least once, so that we, as state officers, can have better communication with the chapters to help them improve as well.

What is your greatest DeMolay experience or accomplishment?

Although I have had many great experiences, varying from chapter events, to becoming a state officer. I’d have to pick going to the Naval Academy in Annapolis Maryland. I was Master Councilor of my chapter at the time and I chose to do that for My Government Day. It was a great experience that I will never forget.

Who are your DeMolay influences and how have they inspired you?

Of all the great people I have met and gotten to know in DeMolay, whether they are from my chapter or the state, many of them have taught me valuable lessons. Two of my greatest DeMolay influences are Adam Neubauer and Isaac Holtzer. Adam recruited me into DeMolay and was my mentor, at least I saw him that way, before the bro tie program. Isaac became State Master Councilor shortly after I joined. While he was SMC, he still participated in chapter events and I was able to observe his leadership style in the chapter and on the state level. I was able put that towards my own leadership skills, especially with being a state officer.

Meet the Candidates: Brian Martin for State Senior Councilor

Convention is just around the corner, so lets take a few minutes to meet the candidates for Elected State Office. Members will get the chance to elect their officers during the Business Session the Saturday morning of Convention. They were all asked to provide a biography and an answer to the three questions below.

Hello everyone, my name is Brian Eduardo Martin. I'm the first DeMolay and Mason of my family. I’m from Carlisle, PA and I'm a PMC of Carlisle Chapter. Some of my hobbies include golfing, fishing and hunting. My favorite superhero is Batman. My accomplishments include obtaining my PMC-MSA, DeMolay Varsity letter, RD and earning the Degree of Chevalier.

What are your goals if elected to serve as an Elected State Officer?

If I’m elected to serve Pennsylvania DeMolay as your State Senior Councilor I would like to help chapter's increase visitation amongst each other. I would also like to help find new ways to get DeMolay out there to the public to boost membership.

Who are your DeMolay influences and how have they inspired you?

My biggest DeMolay influence will not change. My influence is Bill Sardone. I look up to him ever since the day I met him. The passion for DeMolay that he exudes is what I stride for. I hope that exuding that passion to the younger DeMolays will make them love this organization as much as I do.

What is your greatest DeMolay experience or accomplishment?

My greatest DeMolay accomplishment to date is serving as State Scribe for Pennsylvania DeMolay. It taught me time management. This helped me become a better State office in learning how to juggle school, DeMolay and work. It also helped me get around Pennsylvania to meet new brothers that have yet come to a State weekends and or from another state. 

DeMolay to Freemasonry

The Order of DeMolay, along with all other Masonic Youth Groups, is sponsored by the Free and Accepted Masons. One common misconception is that all DeMolay members become Masons. Although this can, and often times is the case, it is not a forgone conclusion that a member of DeMolay will one day become a Mason. Although DeMolay is sponsored by the Freemasons, the two are separate organizations. Having seen many friends and brothers join the Masonic lodge, I can say that it is a special occasion when they are raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason.

DeMolay and Freemasonry have the same principals and focus, which can make it easy for people to consider DeMolay members to be "junior masons." They both take pride in serving the community through fellowship and service. Both Orders believe in a fraternal practice, creating brothers among men. DeMolay's purpose is to help young men to become better citizens and leaders, while Freemasonry helps good men to be better men and leaders. The comparisons clearly show why DeMolay members often times grow into great Masonic leaders.

When I was 19, I became a Mason of Frankford Lodge #292 in Philadelphia. The best part of joining, aside from instantly being welcomed by every member of the lodge, was to see all the DeMolay Advisors and fellow members, who are also Masons, support me through the journey. A few of them even took part in the degrees, with my Ritual Advisor serving as my guide. I look around today and see that this still occurs. Past State Senior Councilor, Anthony Trento of Chester Pike Chapter, became a Mason earlier this month. In attendance were three of his DeMolay brothers, two of which he served with as a State Officer. As DeMolay and Freemasonry show throughout their practices, and this post confirms, once a brother, always a brother.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin       

 

Meet the Candidates: Andrew Santilli

Convention is right around the corner, which means it will be time to vote for PA DeMolay's Elected State Officers. This series will introduce you to each candidate as they prepare to run for office. They were all asked to provide a short biography and an answer to the three questions below.

My name is Andrew Santilli and I am running for the office of State Senior Councilor for Pennsylvania DeMolay. I am currently 16 years old and a Junior at Marple Newtown High School. I play baseball on a Legion Baseball team, Football for my high school, and Chess (tournaments in Philadelphia). I am highly interested in reading, writing, shooting, hunting, fishing, sports, and video games! My favorite school subjects include Physics, Math, History, and Philosophy. My favorite vacation spot is Vermont, and my favorite food is probably clam chowder. The countryside is the place to be, and I love my 2 dogs, 4 cats, ferret, and guinea pig. 

If you are elected to serve, what do you hope to accomplish?

If elected to the office of State Senior Councilor this coming convention, I hope to accomplish giving back to DeMolay as much as it has given to me, which is a heck of a lot! This might sound cliché, but it’s true; ever since I joined DeMolay, I have developed as a person tremendously and have had more fun than the average teenager. It is my duty as a brother of a world-class order to return this kindness by starting with the simple things like ensuring membership goals are reached, visiting chapters on a regular basis, and generally being a role model and friend to all members. Going slightly further, I hope to sincerely and actively stress our core values as DeMolay’s, meaning that if we do not seriously adhere to our oaths, precepts, and moral guidelines, then we as DeMolays are not living up to the standards of this great order we claim to be part of.

What is your greatest DeMolay experience?

Reflecting on my life as a DeMolay thus far, my greatest DeMolay experience is definitely being elected Master Councilor of Chester Pike Chapter. Having the title opened an infinite amount of doors regarding opportunities, ideas, and people that I can’t begin to pretend I would be where I am without having held a gavel in my hand for a time.  From life lessons to communication skills to growing as an individual, I couldn’t trade this experience for anything even if I tried.

Who are some of your DeMolay influences?

I could write a very long list of DeMolay influences, and it is going to take everything in my power to narrow it down to a few. To start, Mom and Dad Richards took me in as a shy boy when I first came to the chapter; they taught me the ropes and helped mold me into the man I am today. Second, Dad Freedman has been an inspiration to drive forward toward being a better person. Finally, and most importantly, my grandfather has been my ground, my rock, my mentor, and especially my friend through not only my DeMolay career, but my entire life, and most of me as a person would be missing without him.