Jackson group named chapter of the year in statewide competition

Excelsior Chapter, Order of DeMolay, of Jackson competed in ritualistic and athletic competitions at the 2007 DeMolay Conclave held in Jefferson City, Mo., recently. More than 500 DeMolay members and 21 chapters competed. The Order of DeMolay is a young men's fraternity for ages 12 to 21 years. Excelsior Chapter is sponsored by Excelsior Lodge No. 441 in Jackson.

The chapter was named Chapter of the Year for the state of Missouri. This award is given to only one chapter, that which achieves the highest amount of points for the year in areas of membership, community and Masonic service, observance of obligatory days, sporting and ritual events.

Awards won by the chapter in the state competitions against 21 other chapters included:

Team ritual competitions: opening and closing of the chapter, first place; initiatory degree, second place; eight man iniatory degree, first place; preceptor corp., third place.

Team sports competition: bowling, second place; 200-meter four-man relay, third place.

Individual ritual competition: first preceptor, junior division: T. J. Bodenstein, first place; fifth preceptor, junior division: T. J. Bodenstein, second place; second preceptor, junior division: Dustin Sanders, second place; fourth preceptor, junior division: Dustin Sanders, second place; sixth preceptor, junior division: T. J. Bodenstein, second place; sixth preceptor, junior division: Dustin Sanders, first place; sixth preceptor, senior division: Josh Niswonger, third place; seventh preceptor, junior division: T. J. Bodenstein, second place; senior deacon, junior division: Bobby Williamson, first place; ceremony of lights championship division, Gabe Eggers, first place; chaplain, junior division: Stetson Sander, third place; flower talk, junior division: Dustin Sanders, first place; flower talk, championship division: Gabe Eggers, second place; magnificent seven, junior division: Dustin Sanders, second place; master councilor chapter proficiency, junior division: Bobby Williamson, first place, senior division: Drew Hinkle, third place, championship division: Gabe Eggers, first place; master councilor initiatory degree and fourth section, championship division: Gabe Eggers, second place; obligations, junior division: Stetson Sander, first place; orator, championship division: Gabe Eggers, first place.

Individual sports competition: Three point shots, junior division: Dalton Watwood, third place, senior division: Travis Dickerson, third place, J.C. Reeves, second place; 50 meter dash: Jacob Scholl first place; 100 meter dash: Michael Watwood, first place; 100 yard dash: J.C. Reeves, second place; 200 meter dash: Riley Talbut, second place; 400 meter dash: Riley Talbut, first place; 800 meter dash: Jacob Scholl, second place, Riley Talbut, first place; long jump: Drew Hinkle, first place.

Other members attending were Zack Petot, Devon Beard, Aaron Oldham, Nathan Fridley, Barry DeCoursey, Jake Ward, Michael Graeffe, Andrew Scholl, Ben Rushin and Jackson Rushin. All competed in ritualistic competition in team events as well as various sporting events.

Allison Heinsman represented Excelsior Chapter in the State Sweetheart Competition.

Tim Heinsman, Chris Lowery and Damian Pyles joined Excelsior Chapter at the state conclave.

Anyone interested in Excelsior Chapter, Order of DeMolay, may call 204-0120 for more information. The chapter meets on the first and third Tuesdays monthly.