Meet the Candidates: Caitlin Gresham

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. This time, we take a look at our State Sweetheart Candidates. They were asked for a biography and an answer to the following questions on their application. Here are their responses.

Hello Pennsylvania DeMolay. My name is Caitlin Gresham and I am running for State Sweetheart. I am a former Chapter Sweetheart of Steel City Chapter and will be representing Templar Chapter going into Convention. This September I will be a Freshman at Elizabethtown College where I will be studying Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I currently work for Sewickley Confectionery. I am a member of Rainbow, having served as Worthy Advisor for by home Assembly, as well as the Grand Representative for West Virginia and Missouri. I am also an active candidate for the Grand Cross of Color. Along with my many years in the Masonic Youth Groups, I have also been in the Girl Scouts of America, part of the Quaker Valley Key Club and a volunteer with World Vision. In my free time, I enjoy playing softball, volleyball, tennis and cheering for my school. 

Why do you want to become the State Sweetheart of Pennsylvania DeMolay?

I believe that I can broaden my horizons in terms of service and fellowship, while also connecting and making bonds with people from across this state and potentially the nation. With my background in Rainbow and DeMolay, I have an appreciation for all Masonic bodies, however, I think we can all learn more about what we stand for and the way of life that we all believe in. I also want to help strengthen the bonds between masonic youth through various fun and educational activities while also doing more bonding on a deeper level with people that I would not normally get to spend time with. I strongly believe in the great work that we are all capable of and I want to be one of the role models that younger brothers and sisters can come to for help and guidance. When I first joined, I looked up to the youth leaders so much and I would love to be that person to someone else, while also improving myself. This opportunity to work with these young men will open up so many doors for success in my life and theirs as well. 

Although you cannot fund-raise on your own, what fundraising ideas could you bring if a chapter asked you for new ideas?

Many families have loose change lying around their house, sitting in piggy banks, or in wallets that will not be used any time soon. We could do Penny Wars between chapters across the state. We can have a fundraising race between the chapters, and whoever wins by having the most money raised can have a pizza party. We could do a pie throwing contest at a DeMolay weekend and the boys can bring in money to vote for which Elected State Officer they want pied in the face. They could do a spaghetti dinner, blood drive, pancake breakfast, car washes, 50/50 raffles, hoagie/sandwich sales, selling candy bars, carnivals, bake sale, booths at fairs, autumn days, etc. anything of that fashion usually works well.   

What do you know about the Children's Dyslexia Center?

I know that the Children's Dyslexia Center helps children all across the United States who have been diagnosed with Dyslexia. It is a Scottish Rite Charity which is Masonic affiliated and it is found in 13 states, including Pennsylvania, which has eight centers total. They offer services such as tutoring to families free of charge. They have changed the lives of over 1,200 children. The money we raise in DeMolay goes towards helping and improving the lives of many kids who are in need. They have a comprehensive one-on-one program that can be as long as three years, depending on the needs of the student. It costs roughly $6,000 per year to help one child, and with all of our contributions we have helped so many kids, and we will continue to help for as long as possible. 

Meet the Candidates: Mary Lichtenwalner

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. This time, we take a look at our State Sweetheart Candidates. They were asked for a biography and an answer to the following questions on their application. Here are their responses.

Hello members of Pennsylvania DeMolay. My name is Mary Lichtenwalner and I am representing Carlisle Chapter Order of DeMolay. I will be a Junior at Central Dauphin High School. I am a member of the marching band, concert band, color guard and choir. As of May 3rd, I am also a part of the National Honor Society. I work for Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, exclusively at Hershey Park. I am a member of Job's Daughters, having served as Grand Senior Custodian and recently installed as Senior Princess.

Why do you want to become the State Sweetheart of Pennsylvania DeMolay?

I have thoroughly enjoyed being a Chapter Sweetheart for Carlisle Chapter. I also have a friend who has received help from the Children's Dyslexia Centers. Combining my respect for DeMolay and my belief in the work of the Dyslexia Centers is the perfect way to further represent DeMolay as the State Sweetheart. 

Although you cannot fund-raise on your own, what fundraising ideas could you bring if a chapter asked you for new ideas?

A few of the ideas I would be able to come up with include holding a Chinese Auction, movie nights, raffles and even finding a local restaurant that will allow a fundraiser to take place such as Friendly's or Applebees. 

What do you know about the Children's Dyslexia Center?

It was founded by J. Phillip Berquist (a Freemason) with the help of local Freemasons and the Reading Disabilities Unit from Massachusetts General Hospital. It offers tutoring for any age, economical status or whether they have a Masonic relationship or not. 

This or That: Batman vs. Superman

Pennsylvania DeMolay's State Sweetheart, Miss Sarah Sellers, has put together a program that puts two forms of pop culture reference in a competition against one another. This competition is to help raise money for the Children's Dyslexia Centers, which is PA DeMolay's State Charity. The current competition is a question that is often asked: Batman vs. Superman.

Every fan of comic books has been asked the very same question throughout their life: Who would win in a fight between Batman and Superman? Later this month we may get closer to that answer with the release of “Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice,” but for now we are asked which one we prefer more than the other. The Dark Knight and the Man of Steel have been permanent fixtures on the world of pop culture with continuous reboots, remakes and reinterpretations. Both have had multiple film series, television shows, animated series and video games made in their tribute.

Batman, known to all of Gotham City as billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne, became the owner of his father’s company, Wayne Enterprises, after both of his parents were killed. At a young age, Bruce left Gotham City to learn the skills it took to protect the city of crime. He studied forensics, criminal psychology and also learned martial arts along the way. The world of the Dark Knight has been around for years in multiple ways. From the Batman TV series featuring Adam West, to the more recent film series featuring Christian Bale, Batman has been portrayed by 8 different people on the big screen. Currently, Ben Affleck will portray Batman in the upcoming Batman V Superman film, while the series “Gotham,” an origin story that follows Officer Jim Gordon and a young Bruce Wayne, airs on FOX television.

Superman, originally known as Kal-El, was sent to Earth by his parents to protect him from the destruction of his home planet, Krypton. On Earth, he finds the Kent family and is known to them as Clark Kent. Clark learned that he has superhuman powers, including strength, speed and flying abilities. Clark becomes a journalist for the Metropolis Newspaper, the Daily Planet, while saving the world as Superman. Like Batman, Superman has been around the world of pop culture in multiple ways. The most notable version of Superman would be the 4 part series starring Christopher Reeve in the title role. An origin story, entitled Smallville, explained the youthful side of Clark Kent before ultimately becoming Superman. In the film coming out later this month, Henry Cavill will portray the Man of Steel.

So, which one is your favorite superhero: The Caped Crusader or the Man of Steel? 

Your chapter has until April 1^st to make a decision between Batman or Superman.

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin          

This or That: Star Trek vs. Star Wars

Pennsylvania DeMolay's State Sweetheart, Miss Sarah Sellers, has put together a program that puts two forms of pop culture reference in a competition against one another. This competition is to help raise money for the Children's Dyslexia Centers, which is PA DeMolay's State Charity. The current competition is Star Trek vs. Star Wars. “Dad” Alex Swift, Chapter Advisor of Northeast Chapter has provided this article to help compare the two franchises.

In the genre of American Science Fiction, there are no two more recognizable brands than Star Wars and Star Trek. Over the last fifty years since Star Trek first debuted in the 1960’s, they have captured the imagination of young and old viewers alike. Even now, almost fifty years later they are still at the forefront of American Cinema and remain in the spotlight of our interest. There are no signs of either of them disappearing into the realms of memory.

Just this past year, "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" broke almost every known box office record known to man, and seemed to resurrect the good reputation of a franchise that had gone astray. Later this year, in 2016, the third Star Trek film in the JJ Abrams series, and twelfth over all, is set to debut. Both franchises seem to be flourishing in ways that even their original creators might not have predicted, and it’s hard to imagine a world in which neither of them exist.

But, as they can both be categorized as Science Fiction, their similarities are few and far between. 

They are fundamentally different: A fact that has seen a proverbial line drawn in the sand between fans of one, or the other. It’s a silly culture war when you really look at it from any objective viewpoint, especially if you’re a fan of both the way I am. But still, it doesn’t stop it from being waged on the internet, at fan conventions, or even on late night TV where, on his show, Conan O’Brien asked Astrophysicist Neil deDrasse Tyson: “Who would win in a fight, the Millennium Falcon or the USS Enterprise?”

Star Trek, the first of the two brands to appear in front of audiences has traditionally focused on the eventual exploration of space. It’s a look into the future, or more appropriately an idea of what the future could look like. The series shows a world devoid of poverty, crime, and greed. It shows a world in which science and technology have allowed humanity to overcome its faults, and ascend out into the greater universe beyond our own sky.

Star Wars, the more financially successful of the two, has always been a modern homage to the old spaghetti westerns, and adventure films of the 1930’s. Instead of our heroes chasing each other on horseback, we see TIE Fighters and X-Wings dueling each other ala the great air battles waged in World War II. These are tales of great evils, and the forces of good standing against them. They are stories of massive battles waged in far off lands, and worlds that are so incredibly foreign to us. It’s more of a recollection of our past than our future, told from a modern and futuristic perspective.

So, now its up to you, do you side with Star Trek or with Star Wars?

As far as which one is better, that is only a matter of personal preference. Both franchises remain strong, so you decide which one you prefer.  

Thank you "Dad" Swift for your contribution to the blog. Which franchise do you prefer: Star Trek or Star Wars? Voting ends February 1st so act quickly. 

Be Different Spotlight: Carlisle Chapter

The following post is part of a series entitled the “Be Different Spotlight.” This post will display a chapter’s effort to grasp the concept of the theme for this year. Each chapter was challenged by the State Master Councilor, Adam Pritchard, to “Be Different.” 

Challenge Accepted! This is the story of how Carlisle Chapter embraced that challenge...

When our State Master Councilor challenged the chapters to one, do something new and different that we had never done before, and two, approach membership in a new light, many Master Councilor’s racked their brains thinking of what to do. Carlisle Chapters newly elected Master Councilor Brian Martin was no exception.

He reached out to the members of the Chapter for inspiration and ideas. Many ideas were tossed around but the Chapter weeded out the impossible options and focused on the ones that were the best. After much planning and with approval from the Advisory Council many new events were added to the term plan; a service project involving donating gifts to less fortunate households right before Christmas, a very successful Gettysburg Ghost Tour, plans to donate lap blankets to a local retirement home, and plans for a trip to the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

Along with all of these brand new events, they took the initiative to start their very own Sweetheart Program which began with the installation of Carlisle Chapter’s 1st Sweetheart, Mary Lichtenwalner, in early October. Plans for even more prospect parties and recruitment ideas are still being tossed around and are sure to bring in even more new members.

           

Way to go Carlisle Chapter for "Being Different!" Keep up the great work!

This blog post was written by Pennsylvania DeMolay State Scribe Aaron Muldowney. Thank you Brother Aaron for your contribution.

Carlisle Chapter has completed the challenge to “Be Different.” What has your chapter done in order to change things up a bit? Send in program details or write a post for your chapter and send it to me at JAPullin@pademolay.net.

Meet the KMU Staff: The Sweetheart Department

KeyMan University is looking to once again be full of fun, friends, food… and females! That’s right, after a successful first year as participants at KeyMan, the Sweethearts are coming back. This time the ladies are majoring in their own track, designed specifically to hit the key points important to a Sweetheart. Such courses and skills include:

• Basics of a Sweetheart
• DeMolay for Dummies
• Put the “Fun” in Fundraising
• Public Speaking
• Dressing for Success

These are just a few of the skills that the Sweethearts and others choosing to take courses will learn, all of which are designed to help sweethearts aid their chapters and get a little bit of extra DeMolay knowledge! The three dedicated staff working with this major have experience working with DeMolay and other youth organizations, and are eager to extend their knowledge to help the Sweethearts of PA and other jurisdictions work more efficiently and smoothly with their chapters.

Let’s take a moment to meet the Sweetheart Staff!

“Mom” Angela Lennox is a past Chapter Sweetheart of both New Castle Builders Chapter and Erie Chapter. Although fairly new to the Executive Officer staff, “Mom” Lennox helped pioneer the first Sweetheart track during KeyMan 2013, where Sweethearts from across the state came together and learned about the state charity, their roles as sweethearts, and got crash courses in all things DeMolay. In addition to her role as Assistant Sweetheart Director, “Mom” Lennox is a majority member of Pennsylvania Rainbow where she currently serves as a member of the Jr. Grand Executive Committee. Professionally, “Mom” Lennox has found her passion working with children with behavioral disorders as a Therapeutic Staff Support. “Mom” Lennox is excited to once again work with the Sweethearts of PA DeMolay this year at KMU!

“Mom” Jennifer Kopp is a Past Chapter Sweetheart of Hershey chapter in Hershey, PA and a Past State Sweetheart of PA DeMolay 2000-2001. “Mom” Kopp serves on the Pennsylvania DeMolay Executive Officers staff as Director of the State Sweetheart Program where she was tasked with developing the first Sweetheart program for KeyMan in 2013 and provides support to the presiding State Sweetheart.  When not involved with DeMolay “Mom” Kopp works for Dickinson College in Carlisle as a business analyst in the Enterprise Systems department.

“Mom” Linda Pullin has been a DeMolay advisor for the past ten years. In that time she has served as an advisor for several committees including being the sweetheart advisor for the past 7 years. She has earned her Cross of Honor. She has learned so much through DeMolay and does everything she can to help teach others. She is a former rainbow girl, being in Rainbow for 6 years and an advisor for Rainbow for 4 years. Linda has worked for the School District of Philadelphia as a Supportive Service Assistant (SSA) in special education classes for 5 years and in kindergarten classes for 8 years. All of her life she has given time to help others learn new things. She is a strong believer in the sweetheart program and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep the sweetheart program strong. She loves working with the youth and finds it rewarding to see young people grow and succeed in life.

What fun would DeMolay be without that extra smile provided by the Sweethearts? We welcome the Sweethearts from across the state and other jurisdictions to come and learn about what is needed to keep the program afloat, as well as get to know the members of PA DeMolay!

Key Men... and Key Women!

In the past few years, there have been a few changes made to the Chapter Sweetheart and State Sweetheart program. These changes have been made to further interest in the programs and to allow females to participate in DeMolay and promote the Order and the Learning Centers in new ways. However, because of these new changes, past, current, or future Sweethearts could have a muddied view of the program and how they could make a difference within the organization.

Many chapters out there have at least one Chapter Sweetheart and others even have multiple Sweethearts that works hard to promote the Order right alongside the members. Taking this into account, the Sweetheart Program has made a push and has been approved to have its very own track at Key Man 2013! A whole week, originally designed for the young men of DeMolay, has now been made to include current Sweethearts to participate and learn more about DeMolay, the Sweetheart Program (Chapter and State), and fun and innovative ways to help the Learning Centers!

Sweethearts, keep an eye out for announcements and mail outs for an opportunity to participate. Chapters, if you plan on sending members of the Chapter to Key Man, consider including your Chapter Sweetheart (or Sweethearts!), and give her the opportunity to participate in the first Key Man with a track designed specifically for them!

Remember, Key Man is August 4-10, located at Patton Campus in Elizabethtown. If there are any questions about this new track and how to register, please email Dave Berry at es@pademolay.net. Hope to see some eager Chapter Sweethearts there! 

For more information about Key Man, go to http://pademolay.org/events/keyman/keyman.html

State Sweetheart Q & A

As we prepare for Convention 2012, we turn our attention to those seeking election to leadership positions in our organization. One of the races that always gets the attention of our young men is the election of the State Sweetheart. This year, we have two young ladies as candidates for that office. In today's blog post, we are going to share with you some of their answers from the State Sweetheart application.

Miss Brooke Spence - Elizabethtown Chapter

Why do you want to be State Sweetheart? - To learn more about DeMolay

List your memberships in any youth or service groups: Job's Daughters

List any awards or honors, and offices held in the above group(s): Spirit Award, Chaplain, Several Different Messengers, Honored Queen

How do you plan to promote involvement in the PA State Charity? - To come up with a fundraising challenge that all Chapters can be a part of.

Hobbies or other Interests: Photography, Stage Crew


Miss Sabrina Steed - Reading Chapter

Why do you want to be State Sweetheart? - Rainbow and DeMolay have a lot of the same values and I want to help join the Masonic organizations together. I hold the lessons of Rainbow close to my heart and I believe DeMolay is an important organization to promote because it helps young men become more rounded individuals - much like Rainbow does for young ladies. I believe I could be a good representative of your organization.

List your memberships in any youth or service group(s): Rainbow for Girls

List any awards or honors, and offices held in the above group(s): Several Grand Offices, Past Worthy Advisor

How do you plan to promote involvement in the PA DeMolay State Charity? Ideas include Penny Wars, Dunk Tanks, and more.

Hobbies or other Interests: National Honor Society, Science Olympiad, PEACE Club, Envirothon, Debate Team

Who are you going to vote for?


Frat! ~ "Dad" Seth Anthony

Sweetheart Questions - part 2

I hope you read the previous blog post about the State Sweeheart Program. If not, go back and catch up... this will be here waiting for your return. Here are some of the questions that have been asked over the years about the Chapter and State Sweetheart program:

Q. Does a Chapter Sweetheart have to be a Rainbow Girl or a Job's Daughter?
A. It's entirely up to your Chapter to set the selection rules. The State Sweetheart program does NOT require a girl to be a member of one of the youth groups in order to run, although most of them have been.

Q. Can the Chapter Sweetheart attend all events at the Patton Campus with their Chapter?
A. Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. Each activity is different. Look at the registration forms and articles posted at www.pademolay.org to know when it is and is not permitted.

Q. Why do some Chapters have multiple Sweethearts and some others have only one?
A. With multiple Sweethearts there are fewer chances to insult someone who had their heart set on serving in a volunteer position. However, a single sweetheart is less costly, and less likely to be difficult to manage.

Q. How much does it cost to have a Chapter Sweetheart?
A. Each Chapter can do this their own way. Some will "treat" their Chapter Sweetheart like royalty and take her everywhere including Convention at the expense of the Chapter. Others allow the Sweetheart to take part in fund-raisers and earn her share of the costs. It is ALWAYS up to the young men to decide.

Q. Why aren't there more candidates for State Sweeheart each year?
A. We don't know why more girls don't run for the position. That is one of the many questions the SMC's committee is going to investigate.

Q. Doesn't every Chapter want to have their Sweetheart selected to be the State Sweetheart?
A. Apparently not, because a number of Chapters don't encourage their sweetheart to run for the position. This is something else for the SMC's committee to determine.

If other questions come to mind, please ask!

"Dad" Tom Labagh
Executive Officer

Why Sweethearts?

Seems like a strange question, doesn't it? Why should a DeMolay Chapter have one or more Chapter Sweethearts? To those of us who have been in the program a long time, having a Chapter Sweetheart doesn't seem strange at all, but to new advisors and new members who have never been involved with a Chapter that has a Sweetheart program, it's a very logical question.




At the Softball Tournament this summer we got our wires crossed and no instructor was present for a group of Advisors who gathered for an afternoon DAD PLUS class on the topic of Chapter Sweethearts. Not to be deterred by a lack of an instructor, the interested Advisors talked about the topic on their own, and left us a message on the white board:

I was glad to find these questions, and took a photo of the board with my DROID... and then promptly forgot the photo was there until I was trying to organize the photos this weekend.

Rather than answer these questions for them, and for any of you, I am going to answer the way I usually answer the State Officers, and say, "Let's look this up together!"

There are three documents that you should review to understand the Chapter and State Sweetheart program. The first is just a page of brief policy statements authorizing Chapters to have one or more Sweethearts, and permitting a State Sweetheart program. http://www.pademolay.org/resources/pdf/females.pdf

The second is a booklet of guidelines to help the members establish a Chapter Sweetheart program. http://www.pademolay.org/resources/pdf/statesweetheartpolicy.pdf The Chapter program is up to the young men-- the number of girls, their duties, the selection process, can be different from Chapter to Chapter. Your members set this policy, with Advisory Council consent.

The third is a booklet of policy and guidelines for the State Sweetheart Program. http://www.pademolay.org/resources/pdf/chaptersweetheartguide.pdf

I believe that this booklet and policy will be undergoing some significant changes in the next few months. The State Master Councilor and his officers have established a committee to consider the program from top to bottom to determine what can be changed to help encourage more girls to run for the position. It is a great opportunity for any service-minded girl who wants to have a chance to travel and promote the state DeMolay charity program and the Chapter Sweetheart program. Our current State Sweetheart is Miss Lauren Nace, from Lorraine Chapter, who is also interested in seeing the program improved. http://www.pademolay.org/people/youthleaders/ssw.html

If you have any thoughts on the future of the State Sweetheart program, please feel free to contact Bro. Tom Moyer, State Master Councilor, or any of his officers. If you have any questions about the policy statements, please feel free to direct them to me.

"Dad" Tom Labagh

Executive Officer in PA