From DeMolay to the Big Leagues

At a young age, we all have hopes and dreams to become something above and beyond, such as a doctor, a lawyer, a professional athlete, or a famous movie star. For some, those dreams change over time, realizing other ambitions that come to us later in life. For others, they set every goal to make sure that this dream becomes a reality. For one Senior DeMolay from New Jersey, his dream to become a Professional Baseball Player is becoming more of a reality every day. 

In the 2017 MLB draft, the San Diego Padres selected Tyler Benson, a recent Senior DeMolay of Phoenix Chapter in New Jersey, who was playing for Outfield for Bloomsburg University. After just a few short months, Benson has already been promoted twice, currently playing for the Single-A Fort Wayne TinCaps. 

After all this excitement in his life, he still remembers his time in DeMolay and took a conversation with Past State Master Councilor of New Jersey, Matt Hoffman. Tyler stated that his favorite memory of DeMolay was "Playing in the 2012 NJ State Flag Football Tournament under the lights with his home chapter - Phoenix Chapter." He went on to say "To see everyone from all around the State coming together, it was really a cool experience to just have fun with everyone. And of course, I’m naturally a competitive person so I loved the competition, even though we barely lost in the championship." When asked what is one take away from DeMolay, he states "Brotherhood. No matter how long we are away from each other, we are always there for one another and our conversations pick up where they last left off."  

Although Tyler is not finished with his journey, his dream is being fulfilled by playing baseball everyday as a professional. This story proves that dreams can become a reality if you put the work in to make it happen. Thank you to "Dad" Peter Brusoe and Brother Matt Hoffman for sharing this story. Keep up the great work Tyler Benson, and I hope to see you in the big leagues sometime soon. To see an article on his promotion to Single-A ball, click the following link.
http://www.dailyrecord.com/…/tyler-benson-montvi…/467483001/

Until next time - "Dad" Joe Pullin  

Meet the Candidates: Mary Lichtenwalner for State Sweetheart

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 members of Pennsylvania DeMolay. My name is Mary Lichtenwalner and I am the current Chapter Sweetheart for Carlisle Chapter, running for the office of State Sweetheart. I will be a Senior at Central Dauphin High School in the fall, where I am a member of the National Honor Society and the school band. In Marching Band, I have been a Co-Section Leader for two years. In Concert Band, I am the 12th Grade Representative and Section

Leader. I am a member of Job's Daughters International, having served as Bethel Honored Queen for Bethel #19 in Mechanicsburg. I am also the current Grand Bethel Guide for Job's Daughters in Pennsylvania.

Why do you want to become State Sweetheart for Pennsylvania DeMolay?

I want to become State Sweetheart because I have enjoyed working with all of the young men I have met to promote the State Charity. I have also loved learning and educating myself on dyslexia and how the Dyslexia Centers tutor students to help them better their quality of life. 

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

The Shriners helped to open the Children's Dyslexia Center in 1994 with the Massachusetts General Hospital. These Masons pledged to assist children with dyslexia to learn how to improve their reading levels and how to reach their full potential. Another promise made was to assist these families to help end the frustration, guilt and disruption that may be caused by dyslexia and to assist communities to develop more Children's Dyslexia Centers to help students inside and outside of school. The Dyslexia Center uses a personalized approach for each student that they tutor. The tutors will start with one concept and make sure that the student understands why they need to know the skill, when it will be used, how it will be used, how it is performed and what the skill is actually doing for them. The tutor will not move onto the next lesson until the student understands everything. 

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

A Chapter can organize raffles and raise money by selling tickets at meetings and to the Masonic Community. Another idea would be to hold a competition between two concepts or between DeMolay members. The voting could take place by either tickets or change, depending on how the chapter wants to organize it. Chapters could also use fundraisers such as movie nights or bake sales in the community, to promote membership as well as service.  

     

Meet the Candidates: Jacob Reilly for State Scribe

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 Jacob Reilly, I am running for State Scribe 2017-2018 term of Pennsylvania DeMolay. On March 2013 I proudly joined al-Aksa DeMolay located in Altoona, Pa. Since I joined, I have helped the Councilors of my chapter to the best of ability. On September 26, 2016 I became Master Councilor of al-Aksa Demolay, with the intent to increase membership and attendance to events and meetings. I earned the Past Master Councilor Meritorious Service Award, Representative DeMolay and Lamp of Knowledge. I am a Junior at Central High School in Martinsburg Pa, proud member of the FFA and National Honor Society and engaged in Central High School Soccer. I belong to the Boy Scouts of America of Troop 57 in Roaring Spring Pa. I am currently working on my Eagle Scout Project, hoping to have it completed by September of 2017. 

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

My goal if elected as State Scribe is to keep proper records of the events. I plan to work with the State Master Councilor to make his term successful. I plan to help chapters across Pennsylvania to increase communication and strive to maintain membership and help members improve their leadership skills.

What is your greatest DeMolay experience or accomplishment?

My greatest Demolay experience is when I joined I helped restore al-Aksa DeMolay back to its proper form and the way every DeMolay chapter should be functioning and helping its membership increase throughout the years.

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

My Greatest DeMolay influence is my father, Dad John Reilly. He has been my mentor since the day I joined DeMolay, giving me advice on leadership, ritual, and he has helped me love DeMolay as much as I do now. Also the Past Master Councilors of al-Aksa DeMolay and Past State Master Councilors of Pennsylvania have influenced me a lot throughout my DeMolay career.