This article is dated November 16th, 2000, it appeared in the BHS SPOTLIGHT and was written by me, becka.
DeMolay state officer Ryan Logan spends his time away from UNI at state events for DeMolay. Ryan joined DeMolay in high school, but stayed in it even when he began college because he enjoys it so much. Apart from the members and the parents of the students in DeMolay almost no one seems to know about it. DeMolay is an international organization for young men ages 12 to 21. They encourage members to be active in their church and school. There are DeMolay chapters all over the US and in eight foreign countries including Canada, Brazil, Australia, Panama, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Philippines. The organization was named after Jacques DeMolay. He was grand master of the Knights Templar, a position of power and prestige. He was burned at the stake on March 18th, 1314, after years of imprisonment and refusing to sign a forged confession. He is honored for his loyalty and friendship. Frank S. Land originally founded the DeMolay organization in Kansas City, Missouri in the year 1919. Here in Boone is one of the largest chapters in the state of Iowa. Paul Grabau, BHS graduate and member of the Boone Champlin chapter, said he would always be glad he joined DeMolay because he will never forget some of the great times he had in it. He also said there are many things members have the option of participating in. There are several great opportunites in DeMolay. After participants are over age 18, they can become Masons. The Champlin chapter was started in November of 1921. This year they have initiated 20 new members, the most since 1990. Shane Harshbargar, Joe Adkins, Jim Udelhoven, and Joel Schwendinger currently lead the chapter. The chapter is always looking for new members. The Boone DeMolay chapter currently participates in all of the state activites held. These activites include All Star Weekend, which is held in the Quad Cities. There is midnight bowling and a form of entertainment such as a magician, a hypnotist, or a comedy sports trope. Freshman AJ Abrahamsen joined DeMolay last year. AJ has been to all the state events but Summerfest. When asked about them he commented, "I enjoy the road trips." Grand Master's Class/Basketball in Des Moines is a basketball tournament for the chapters. Masonic Youth Day in held in Altoona at Adventureland. Afterwards all the kids and the chaperons are taken to Za-Ga-Zig Shrine for a dance and a pizza party. Summerfest includes election and installation of new state officers, and the NECTTO(not even close to the olympics) games. Tailgate is the last state event they attend for the year. This event is held in Cedar Falls; there is a football tournament, a cookout, and a trip to a Waterloo Blackhawks hockey game. This year they went to the UNI football game instead. "I enjoy the state events because there are usually fun activites at all of them like dances and sporting events," said Ross Lemon. At all of the evnts a dance usually takes place for the young men and women. The women include Rainbows, an organization for girls branched off the DeMolay, and Job's Daughters also branched off the DeMolay. All these state events cost money and they must have advisors and adult chaperons(they are always looking for chaperons). The events can cost anywhere from $5 to $75 per person and sometimes more. "It's a great organization that young men will truly enjoy. All they have to do is join," says Shane Harshbargar, an advisor of the Boone chapter. Mr. Harshbarar is currently on the state staff on the Iowa DeMolay and is in charge of state activites. Scott Selim, a freshman, said, "You will get as much out of DeMolay as you put into it." |
